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Constraints and Categories of Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices |
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| Authors: | Lorne G. Everett Edward W. Hoylman L. Graham Wilson Leslie G. McMillion |
| Affiliation: | Lorne G. Everett [Kaman Tempo, Natural Resources Program, 816 State Street, P.O. Drawer QQ, Santa Barbara, CA 93102) is the manager of the Natural Resources Program at Kaman Tempo, Santa Barbara, California. In addition to authoring more than 75 professional papers, Dr. Everett is the author of the handbook entitled "Ground Water Monitoring.";E.W Hoylman (Kaman Tempo, Natural Resources Program, 816 State Street, P.O. Drawer QQ, Santa Baibara, CA 93102) is a senior hydrogeologist who received his B.S. in hydrology and geologyfrom the University of Hawaii in 1970 and his M.S. in geology in 1974. He is a co-author of several papers developing vadose zone monitoring concepts. His recent research focuses on application of geophysical methods for use in the vadose zone.;L.G. Wilson (Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona, A.E. Douglas Building, "28, lkcson, AZ 85721) is a hydrologist with the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Wilson is the author of the state-of-the-art report titled "Monitoring in the Vadose Zone: A Review of Technical Elements and Methods.";L.G. McMillion (U.S. EPA, Environmental Monitoring Systems Lab., P.O. Box 15027, Las Vegas, NV89114) is a senior hydrologist with the EPA Environmental Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. McMillion is the EPA project ogicer who has been responsible for major research programs directed toward establishing national monitoring strategies and ground water monitoring guidelines for energy extraction sites. |
| Abstract: | Traditional monitoring methods using chemical analysis of ground water samples to detect pollutant migration are being superseded or used in conjunction with innovative approaches. A need to detect pollutants before they reach the water table has drawn interest to vadose (unsaturated) zone monitoring and brought together hydrogeologists, soil scientists and agricultural engineers who have been working on this subject for years. Recent studies have identified over 50 different types of vadose zone monitoring devices and methods that have optimum utility in varying hydrogeologic settings. In general, measurements made in the vadose zone are trying to define storage, transmission of liquid waste in terms of flux and velocity, and pollutant mobility. Criteria for the selection of alternative vadose zone monitoring methods are important for the development of site-specific systems. These criteria include: type of site; applicability to new, active, and abandoned sites; power requirements; depth limitations; multiple use capability; type of data collection system; reliability and life expectancy; degree of operational complexity; direct versus indirect methods; applicability to alternate media; effect on flow regime; and effect of hazardous waste on sampling or measurements. Application of the selection criteria is discussed in Everett et al. (1982a). |
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