Vadose Zone Monitoring for Hazardous Waste Sites

A major concern at all hazardous waste disposal sites—whether abandoned, active, or planned—is the potential pollution of the underlying groundwater system. The vadose (unsaturated) zone comprises the ground layer beneath the topsoil and overlies the water table; in this zone, either water in pore spaces coexists with air or geological matter is unsaturated. Current federal regulations require both groundwater monitoring and vadose zone sampling at land treatment installations. This book is an extensive state-of-the-art review and evaluation of vadose zone monitoring methods and their applicability to hazardous waste disposal sites.
As a compendium of monitoring techniques, this unique resource allows the user to select a method to develop a vadose zone monitoring program. The advantages and disadvantages of more than 70 different sampling and non-sampling vadose zone monitoring techniques are described quantitatively according to physical, chemical, geologic, topographic, hydrologic, and climatic constraints. The monitoring techniques are categorized for pre monitoring, active, and post closure site assessments. Waste disposal methods are categorized for piles, landfills, impoundments, and land treatment. Additionally, conceptual vadose zone monitoring approaches are presented for specific waste disposal method categories.