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Electromagnetic Terrain Conductivity Surveys Used To Screen Swine Confinement Facilities For Groundwater Contamination
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 10th EEGS Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Mar 1997, cp-204-00028
Abstract
Electromagnetic terrain conductivity (EM) surveys were conducted at two swine confinement<br>facilities in Illinois to assess the presence and extent of groundwater contamination and to guide<br>the installation of monitoring wells. At Site A, the waste lagoon was on a glacial outwash terrace<br>near an alluvial valley. At Site C, the waste lagoon was on glacial till overlying shale bedrock.<br>Measurements were made with a GEONICS EM-34 terrain conductivity meter on 10-m grids<br>surrounding the waste lagoons. Wells were installed in areas where EM surveys suggested that<br>contamination may and may not be occurring. Two shallow wells at Site A and one well at Site<br>C yielded water samples with electrical conductivity values 6 times higher than background,<br>suggesting contamination. Each of these wells was in areas of high EM conductivity. None of the<br>deep wells in areas of high EM conductivity or shallow wells in areas of low EM conductivity at<br>Site A or Site C yielded water samples with electrical conductivity values much higher than<br>background. It appeared that a terrain conductivity survey is a useful tool for for delineating<br>areas of groundwater contamination.