High Spatial Resolution Optical Sensors for DNAPLs

50815-98-I High Spatial Resolution Optical Sensors for DNAPLs--Dakota Technologies, Inc., 2301 12th Street, North, Suite E, Fargo, ND 58102-1805; (701) 237-4908 Mr. Randy W. St. Germain, Principal Investigator Dr. Gregory D. Gillispie, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82564 Amount: $75,000 Chlorinated organic solvents in the form of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) continuously contaminate clean groundwater as they slowly dissolve. Accurately locating the DNAPL source terms is the key to successful remediation. Site characterization via soil borings is slow and expensive, particularly when the contamination is deep. This project will utilize mature fluorescence and soil color sensors and deploy them on direct push probes for real-time mapping of subsurface DNAPLs distribution. The spatial resolution of the measurements will be improved by a factor of 5-10 compared to currently available sensors. The Phase I project will design and build a prototype probe that allows simultaneous fluorescence and soil color measurements through the same window, write the data collection and display software, characterize performance in the laboratory, and then perform a field test at Savannah River. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Better methods to locate DNAPLs source terms will dramatically reduce the necessary time and cost to the government for remediation projects._