161-1 Beyond Traditional Site Characterization: Integrating High-Resolution Geophysics for Effective Remediation in Complex Subsurface Environments

Session: Dynamics of Natural and Built Environments

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Environmental remediation efforts have often fallen short at complex sites due to insufficient

characterization of subsurface heterogeneity. Features such as stratigraphic layering,

preferential flow paths, and low-permeability zones frequently serve as long-term contaminant

reservoirs. Yet these critical subsurface variations are easily overlooked by traditional

investigation methods, leading to ineffectual, protracted, or failed remediation. The limited

adoption of geophysical tools—despite their capacity to resolve these features on actionable

scales—has further constrained remediation outcomes.

Recent advancements in high-resolution geophysical technologies—including laser-induced

fluorescence (LIF), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), borehole logging, and continuous multichannel tubing—now enable detailed visualization of

subsurface structure at meter to sub-meter resolution. When integrated with geological

interpretation and direct-push methods, these tools provide a more complete and dynamic

understanding of contaminant distribution and transport. This is particularly valuable in

geologically complex settings such as alluvial and fluvial deposits, fractured bedrock, karst

systems, and urban fill. Case studies from Kentucky illustrate how such integrated

characterization has facilitated light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) remediation in both

alluvial and karst terrains.

To advance the effective, sustainable, and timely environmental cleanup, the industry must

adopt a holistic approach that embeds high-resolution geophysics into the core of site

conceptualization and remedial design early in site characterization. Integrating advanced

imaging with adaptive site models and expert geological interpretation enhances precision

targeting, reduces costs through smarter deployment, and significantly increases the likelihood

of long-term remediation success. This shift from generalized assumptions to site-specific, data-

driven strategies marks a necessary evolution—one that defines the future of environmental

remediation practice.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-8149

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