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Environmental
geophysics is the application of geophysical
prospecting techniques to environmental
problems.
ESRI-USC uses seismic reflection,
seismic refraction, resistivity, and
borehole logging techniques to characterize
the shallow subsurface.
Depths of investigation are commonly
less than 150 feet.
Past projects have involved mapping
shallow aquifers, buried channels, and
faults to determine contaminant preferential
pathways.
Other projects have used shallow
seismic data to assist in seismic hazard
studies.
Electrical resistivity soundings have
been used to map saltwater intrusion and
contaminant plumes at landfills and
industrial sites.
ESRI-USC is conducting research on the
use of seismic amplitude variation with
offset (AVO) attributes to directly detect
dense nonaqueous phase liquid contaminants (DNAPLs).
Other research involves the use of
high-resolution shear-wave seismic
reflection profiling and vertical seismic
profiling (VSP) for site characterization.
An extensive array of
geophysical field apparatus is used that
includes a 120-channel seismograph, cables,
geophones, borehole geophone, and various
seismic sources. State-of-the-art data processing facilities are maintained in
a 1000 sq. ft. laboratory dedicated to
environmental geophysics research. ESRI-USC
field crews and geophysicists have completed
geophysical research projects in: Alabama,
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas,
Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina, and
Washington.
Project sponsors include various
state and federal government agencies and
private industry.
ESRI has extensive capabilities for
the acquisition, processing, interpretation and modeling of seismic reflection
and refraction data. In recent years ESRI has collected and processed numerous
high-resolution seismic reflection surveys using vibroseis, sledge hammer,
buffalo gun and EWG-1 (weight drop) sources. In addition, ESRI has collected 3-D
high resolution seismic reflection data, numerous VSPs and S-wave reflection
data.
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