Course Overview
This course is the fourth of a five course series in the contaminated site technical studies. The field school involves four full days of hands-on sampling exercises giving the students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills from Contaminated Site Investigation Process: sampling strategies, design and implementation of sampling plans, and interpretation of results. The sampling exercises include: (1) soil sampling using a drill rig, backhoe, and hand augers; (2) ground water sampling by installation, development, and testing of monitoring wells; (3) overview of surface water and sediment sampling techniques; and (4) demonstration of geophysical investigation techniques. The focus of the course is on the role of the site investigator in the contaminated-site management process.
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Watch the drilling of a borehole and obtaining of soil samples for soil chemical analysis.
- Describe concerns associated with sample collection procedure and labelling, sample tool decontamination procedures.
- Practice soil vapour screening as an aid to sample selection and core logging.
- View the construction of a monitoring well after drilling a borehole.
- Demonstrate the method to develop and purge a monitoring well.
- Describe the methods and concerns in collecting water samples for a variety of chemical contaminants, and preservation techniques.
- Operate under supervision a variety of organic, vapour analyzers for use in performing a soil gas survey.
- Explain how to conduct a soil survey and collect vapor samples.
- Discuss the problems or conditions that may affect the survey results.
- Watch a utility location demonstration for a subsurface data collection.
- Observe under supervision a variety of geophysical tools.
- Discuss the problems or conditions that may affect the geophysical results.
- Watch use of a backhoe for collecting soil samples.
- Demonstrate the use of head space test to determine the presence of volatile organics.
- Describe the correct safety procedures when working alongside excavating equipment.
- Perform a hydraulic response test in a monitoring well to determine hydraulic conductivity.
- Describe the procedure used for applying either the Bouwer and Rice method or the Hvorslev method.
- Describe how to gather data using a data logger.
- Solve for hydraulic conductivity using field data.
- Conduct a water level survey to determine the water table gradient and direction of ground water flow
- Use an electric water tape to measure water levels in a monitoring well.
- Use a surveying level to determine relative borehole elevations.
- Calculate ground water elevations and prepare a hydraulic gradient map.
- Determine the direction of ground water flow.
- Compile a written environment report for the methodology and observation sections of the report.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2012
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.