ASTM D6429-99
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
Standard Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of surface geophysical methods, as commonly applied to geologic, geotechnical, hydrologic, and environmental investigations (hereafter referred to as site characterization), as well as forensic and archaeological applications. This guide does not describe the specific procedures for conducting geophysical surveys. Individual guides are being developed for each surface geophysical method.
1.2 Surface geophysical methods yield direct and indirect measurements of the physical properties of soil and rock and pore fluids, as well as buried objects.
1.3 The geophysical methods presented in this guide are regularly used and have been proven effective for hydrologic, geologic, geotechnical, and hazardous waste site assessments.
1.4 This guide provides an overview of applications for which surface geophysical methods are appropriate. It does not address the details of the theory underlying specific methods, field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous references are included for that purpose and are considered an essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of this guide be familiar with references cited (1-20) and with Guides D 420, D 5730, D 5753, D 5777, D 6235, and D 6285, as well as Practices D 5088, D 5608, and Test Method G 57.
1.5 To obtain detailed information on specific geophysical methods, ASTM standards, other publications, and references cited in this guide, should be consulted.
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.7 The success of a geophysical survey is dependent upon many factors. One of the most important factors is the competence of the person(s) responsible for planning, carrying out the survey, and interpreting the data. An understanding of the method's theory, field procedures, and interpretation along with an understanding of the site geology, is necessary to successfully complete a survey. Personnel not having specialized training or experience should be cautious about using geophysical methods and should solicit assistance from qualified practioners.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the guide. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.9 Precautions:
1.9.1 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of the methods. If the methods are used at site with hazardous materials, operations, or equipment, it is the responsibility of the user of this guide to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of any regulations prior to use.
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6429–99
Standard Guide for
Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6429; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
guide. The values given in parentheses are for information
1.1 This guide covers the selection of surface geophysical
only.
methods, as commonly applied to geologic, geotechnical,
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information
hydrologic, and environmental investigations (hereafter re-
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
ferred to as site characterization), as well as forensic and
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
archaeological applications. This guide does not describe the
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
specific procedures for conducting geophysical surveys. Indi-
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
vidualguidesarebeingdevelopedforeachsurfacegeophysical
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
method.
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
1.2 Surface geophysical methods yield direct and indirect
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
measurements of the physical properties of soil and rock and
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
pore fluids, as well as buried objects.
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
1.3 The geophysical methods presented in this guide are
document means only that the document has been approved
regularly used and have been proven effective for hydrologic,
through the ASTM consensus process.
geologic, geotechnical, and hazardous waste site assessments.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.4 This guide provides an overview of applications for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
which surface geophysical methods are appropriate. It does not
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
address the details of the theory underlying specific methods,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
references are included for that purpose and are considered an
essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of
2. Referenced Documents
thisguidebefamiliarwiththereferencescited(1-20) andwith
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Guides D 420, D 5730, D 5753, D 5777, D 6235, and D 6285,
D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, De-
as well as Practices D 5088, D 5608, and Test Method G 57.
sign, and Construction Purposes
1.5 To obtain detailed information on specific geophysical
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
methods, ASTM standards, other publications, and references
Fluids
cited in this guide, should be consulted.
D 4428/D 4428M TestMethodsforCrossholeSeismicTest-
1.6 The success of a geophysical survey is dependent upon
ing
many factors. One of the most important factors is the
D 5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
competence of the person(s) responsible for planning, carrying
Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
out the survey, and interpreting the data. An understanding of
D 5608 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
the method’s theory, field procedures, and interpretation along
Used at Low Level Radioactive Waste Sites
with an understanding of the site geology, is necessary to
D 5730 Guide to Site Characterization for Environmental
successfully complete a survey. Personnel not having special-
Purposes with Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
ized training or experience should be cautious about using
and Ground Water
geophysical methods and should solicit assistance from quali-
D 5753 Guide for Planning and Conducting Borehole Geo-
fied practitioners.
physical Logging
D 5777 Guide for Using the Seismic Refraction Method for
1 Subsurface Investigation
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
Subsurface Characterization.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published September 1999.
2 3
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
end of this standard. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6429–99
D 6235 Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of ried out by knowledgeable professionals who have experience
Vadose Zone and Ground Water Contamination at Hazard- and training in theory and application of the method, and the
ous Waste Contaminated Sites
interpretation of the data resulting from the use of the specific
D 6285 Guide for Locating Abandoned Wells
method.
G 57 TestMethodforFieldMeasurementofSoilResistivity
Using the Wenner Four-Electrode Method
5. Significance and Use
3. Terminology 5.1 This guide applies to commonly used surface geophysi-
cal methods for those applications listed in Table 1. The rating
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with the
systemusedinTable1isbasedupontheabilityofeachmethod
terms and symbols given in Terminology D 653. Also see Ref
to produce results under average field conditions when com-
(1) for specific geophysical terms and definitions.
paredtoothermethodsappliedtothesameapplication.An“A”
4. Summary of Guide
rating implies a preferred method and a “B” rating implies an
alternate method. There may be a single method or multiple
4.1 This guide applies to surface geophysical techniques
that are commonly used in site characterization, as well as methodsthatcanbeappliedwithequalsuccess.Theremayalso
forensic and archaeological applications. be a method or methods that will be successful technically at a
4.2 The selection of preferred geophysical methods for a
lower cost. The final selection must be made considering site
number of common applications is summarized inTable 1.The
specific conditions and project objectives; therefore, it is
table is followed by brief descriptions of each application.
critical to have an experienced professional make the final
4.3 A brief description of each geophysical method along
decision as to the method(s) selected.
with some of the field considerations and limitations also are
5.1.1 Benson (2) provides one of the earlier guides to the
provided.
application of geophysics to environmental problems.
4.4 It is recommended that personnel consult appropriate
5.1.2 Ward (3) is a three-volume compendium that deals
references on each of the methods, applications, and their
with geophysical methods applied to geotechnical and envi-
interpretations. All geophysical measurements should be car-
ronmental problems.
5.1.3 Olhoeft (4) provides an expert system for helping
selectgeophysicalmethodstobeusedathazardouswastesites.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.02.
A,B
TABLE 1 Selection of Geophysical Methods for Common Applications
Geophysical Methods
Seismic Electrical Electromagnetic
Ground
DC Frequency Time Pipe/Cable Metal
Applications
Refraction Reflection SP Penetrating Magnetics Gravity
Resistivity Domain Domain VLF (6.7) Locator Detectors
(6.1) (6.2) (6.4) Radar (6.11) (6.12)
(6.3) (6.5) (6.6) (6.8) (6.9)
(6.10)
Natural Geologic and Hydrologic
Conditions
Soil/unconsolidated layers A B A B A B A
Rock layers B A B B B
Depth to bedrock A A B B B B A B
Depth to water table A A B B B B A
Fractures and fault zones B B B A B A B B B
Voids and sinkholes B B B B B A A
Soil and rock properties A A B
Dam and lagoon leakage B A B B
Inorganic Contaminants
Landfill leachate A A A B B
Saltwater intrusion A A A B B
Soil salinity A A
Organic Contaminants
Light, nonaqueous phase liquids B B B B
C
Dissolved phase
Dense, nonaqueous phase
C
liquids
Manmade Buried Objects
Utilities BABA
Drums and USTs A A A A A
UXO ABA
Abandoned wells B B B A
Landfill and trench boundaries B B A B A
Forensics B A B B A B
Archaeological features B B B A A A B
A
“A” implies primary choice of method.
B
“B” implies secondary choice or alternate method.
C
Also see natural geologic and hydrologic conditions to characterize contaminant pathways.
D6429–99
5.1.4 EPA (5) provides an excellent literature review of the 5.5.1 Surface geophysical methods can and should be used
theory and use of geophysical methods for use at contaminated early in a site characterization program to aid in identifying
sites. backgroundconditions,aswellasanomalousconditionssothat
boring and sampling points can be located to be representative
5.2 An Introduction to Geophysical Measurements:
of site conditions and to investigate anomalies. Geophysical
5.2.1 A primary factor affecting the accuracy of geotechni-
methods also can be used later in the site characterization
cal or environmental site characterization efforts is the number
program after an initial study is completed to confirm and
of sample points or borings. Insufficient spatial sampling to
improve the site characterization findings and provide fill-in
adequately characterize the conditions at a site can result if the
data between other measurements.
number of samples is too small. Interpolation between these
5.5.2 The level of success of a geophysical survey is
sample points may be difficult and may lead to an inaccurate
improved if the survey objectives are well defined. In some
site characterization. Benson (2) provides an assessment of the
cases, the objective may be refined as the survey uncovers new
probability of target detection using only borings.
or unknown data about the site conditions. The flexibility to
5.2.2 Surface and borehole geophysical measurements gen-
changeoraddtothetechnicalapproachshouldbebuiltintothe
erally can be made relatively quickly, are minimally intrusive,
program to account for changes in interpretation of site
and enable interpolation between known points of control.
conditions as a site investigation progresses.
Continuous data acquisition can be obtained with certain
5.6 Profiling and Sounding Measurements:
geophysical methods at speeds up to several km/h. In some
5.6.1 Profiling by stations or by continuous measurements
cases, total site coverage is economically possible. Because of
provides a means of assessing lateral changes in subsurface
the greater sample density, the use of geophysical methods can
conditions.
be used to define background (ambient) conditions and detect
5.6.2 Soundings provide a means of assessing depth and
anomalous conditions resulting in a more accurate site charac-
thickness of geologic layers or other targets. Most surface
terization than using borings alone.
geophysical sounding measurements can resolve three and
5.2.3 Geophysical measurements provide a means of map-
possibly four layers.
ping lateral and vertical variations of one or more physical
5.7 Ease of Use and Interpretation of Data:
properties or monitoring temporal changes in conditions, or
5.7.1 The theory of applied geophysics is quantitative,
both.
however, in application, geophysical methods often yield
5.3 A contrast must be present for geophysical measure-
interpretations that are qualitative.
ments to be successful.
5.7.2 Some geophysical methods provide data from which a
5.3.1 Geophysical methods measure the physical, electrical,
preliminary interpretation can be made in the field, for ex-
or chemical properties of soil, rock, and pore fluids. To detect
ample, ground penetrating radar (GPR), frequency domain
an anomaly, a soil to rock contact, the presence of inorganic
electromagnetic profiling, direct current (DC) resistivity pro-
contaminants, or a buried drum, there must be a contrast in the
filing, magnetic profiling, and metal detector profiling. A map
property being measured, for example, the target to be detected
of GPR anomalies or a contour map of the EM (electromag-
or geologic feature to be defined must have properties signifi-
netic), resistivity, magnetic or metal detector data often can be
cantly different from “background” conditions.
created in the field.
5.3.2 For example, the interface between fresh water and
5.7.3 Some methods, (for example, time domain electro-
saltwater in an aquifer can be detected by the differences in
magnetics and DC resistivity soundings, seismic refraction,
electricalpropertiesoftheporefluids.Thecontactbetweensoil
seismic reflection, and gravity), require that the data be
and unweathered bedrock can be detected by the differences in
processed before any quantitative interpretation can be done.
acoustic velocity of the materials. In some cases, the differ-
5.7.4 Any preliminary interpretation of field data should be
ences in measured physical properties may be too small for
treated with caution. Such preliminary analysis should be
anomaly detection by geophysical methods.
confirmed by correlation with other information from known
5.3.3 Because physical properties of soil and rock vary
pointsofcontrol,suchasboringsoroutcrops.Suchpreliminary
widely, some by many orders of magnitude, one or more of
analysis is subject to change after data processing and is
these properties usually will correspond to a geologic discon-
performed mostly as a means of quality control (QC).
tinuity; therefore, boundaries determined by the geophysical
5.7.5 It is the interpretation and integration of all site data
methods will usually coincide with geological boundaries, and
that results in useful information for site characterization. The
a cross-section produced from the geophysical data may
conversion of raw data to useful information is a value-added
resemble a geological cross-section, although the two are not
process that experienced professionals achieve by careful
necessarily identical.
analysis. Such analysis must be conducted by a competent
5.4 Geophysical methods commonly are used for the fol-
professional to ensure that the interpretation is consistent with
lowing reasons:
geologic and hydrologic conditions.
5.4.1 Mapping natural hydrogeologic conditions;
5.8 Discussion of Applications:
5.4.2 Detecting and mapping contaminant plumes; and,
5.8.1 Natural Geologic and Hydrologic Conditions:
5.4.3 Locating and mapping buried objects.
5.8.1.1 Soil/Unconsolidated Layers—This application in-
5.5 Geophysical methods should be used in the follo
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.