Mary J. S. Roth

Evaluation of site characterization methods for sinkholes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

This study addresses the question of what is the state-of-the-practice of site characterization methods for locating sinkholes or potential sinkholes in the Great Valley Section of eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey. This geographic area has recently experienced the failures of a large office building and a number of residential structures. Sixty engineering firms practicing in this area were asked to respond to a survey concerning the methods currently being employed for locating sinkholes. Twelve firms responded. This paper provides a summary of the 12 methods used to detect voids, the percentage of firms using the different methods and a description of the reliability of each methods. Recommendations concerning site characterization methods for the Great Valley area are also given.

Soil‐Washing evaluation program for Palmerton Zinc Site

Abstract The Palmerton Zinc Site is a Superfund site in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Its former mineral processing operations have contaminated nearby wells and soils with zinc and cadmium. Preliminary analysis of soil and dust sampling conducted in May 1991 has revealed that the dust poses a potential threat to human health. The purpose of the soil washing evaluation program for the Palmerton Zinc Site was to evaluate soils from Palmerton residential properties to determine whether these soils could be remediated by soil washing. This technology uses a washing solution and mechanical action to extract heavy metals from excavated soil. The washing solution is then drained from the “clean”; soil and the heavy metals are recovered. The evaluation program utilized various soil classification tests such as a particle‐size analysis and pH. The results of these tests showed that soil washing is not likely to be a viable method to treat the soil and dust contamination in Palmerton.

Development of a GIS for Environmental Assessment Incorporating Known Potential Environmental Hazards and Remote Sensing

The development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) application to evaluate potential environmental hazards within the Bushkill watershed in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, is described by the authors. Information identifying hazardous materials used by businesses within the watershed was obtained from databases of the Environmental Protection Agency. These databases were supplemented and updated by visual reconnaissance and by a review of current tax maps, zoning information and aerial photographs. Information regarding the use or storage of substances considered hazardous was collected from various agencies as well as any known violations of environmental regulations by the businesses. Geographic information including remotely sensed data and maps of surface water bodies, geology and soil types was also obtained for the study area. A GIS was used to integrate the geographic information with the hazardous substance database resulting in a tool for use in environmental site assessments, planning for subsequent site characterization, and for environmental educational purposes.

Characterization of shallow karst terrain using multi-frequency electromagnetic induction: two examples from Eastern Pennsylvania

Theoretically, for a layered Earth, the conductivity and thickness of all of the layers can be determined if the response to electromagnetic induction is known at all times after excitation by an impulsive source, or equivalently, at all frequencies for a continuous wave source. Improved characterization of the shallow subsurface using electromagnetic induction requires either an instrument capable of measuring very early domain electromagnetic (VETEM) response (Pellerin et al., 1996; Wright et al., 1996), or an instrument capable of measuring a broadband continuous wave response (Keiswetter and Won, 1997; Stewart et al., 1994).