| |
The probe fact sheets (below) highlight individual probe features and a sample retrieval system used with specific probes.
|
Probes are Underground Detectives
Background
Before 1970, nearly 50,000 cubic meters of transuranic waste were shipped to Idaho and disposed of at the INEEL. Releases from these wastes have increased the need for knowledge of subsurface conditions. To aid the investigation, probes have been developed to help answer the following questions.
- What are the waste’s characteristics?
- Where are contaminants and how extensive are they?
- Why, when, and how do contaminants migrate?
Probes Get the Answers
Scientists and engineers at the INEEL use a suite of probes to help answer these questions. The data gathered by these probes supports the INEEL's Subsurface Science Initiative by providing decision-makers with defensible science-based information.
Probes
The following table provides summary information for several different probes. A printable factsheet is available for most by selecting the probe name.
Note: The fact sheets are PDF files  and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view - Download Instructions
| Probe |
Use |
Brief Description |
Soil Moisture Probe
|
Senses the presence of moisture in soils |
The Soil Moisture Probe indicates the presence of moisture in soils. - more -
|
Suction Lysimeter Probe
|
Collects water samples remotely |
The Suction Lysimeter Probe remotely collects water samples from saturated and unsaturated underground areas. - more -
|
Tensiometer Probe
|
Measures potential for water in soils |
The Tensiometer Probe measures soil moisture content in unsaturated soils. - more -
|
Vapor Port Probe
|
Collects soil gas samples remotely |
The Vapor Port Probe remotely collects soil gas samples and identifies the presence of volatile contaminants in the vadose zone. - more -
|
Visual Probe
|
Inspects underground conditions |
The INEEL-developed Visual Probe inspects the physical condition of buried wastes, containers, sludges, interstitial soils, and provides evidence of moisture and contaminant migration. - more -
|
Multi-instrument Probe
|
Detecting underground contaminants |
The Multi-instrument Probe is a sealed casing into which logging tools are inserted to detect water, organic, and transuranic wastes in the INEEL’s Subsurface Disposal Area. Using the probe and associated logging tools clarifies our understanding of subsurface conditions. |
Glovebag Sampling System
|
 |
The INEEL-designed and deployed Glovebag Sampling System allows subsurface water and vapor samples to be safely retrieved in the field with appropriate levels of quality control. This system supports retrieval of samples directly from Vapor Port and the Suction Lysimeter Probes.
|
These are PDF files and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view - Download Instructions
|
