Non-invasive characterisation of NAPL contaminated land by spectral induced polarisation - a literature review

The BGS has undertaken a programme of research in the use of SIP tomography for non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminated land characterisation. This research has been funded under the joint NERC/ERPSRC URGENT Programme (Grant No. GR/M34010), and has been carried out in partnership with the University of Birmingham. The primary objectives of the BGS components of the work were to undertake:
• synthetic modelling studies;
• model tank/column experiments using controlled releases of NAPLs to correlate SIP spectra and images against known geometries, media properties, flow paths and hydraulic parameters;
• field-testing at industrial sites to validate laboratory and interpretative criteria.
The aim of this review is to provide the context in which this research was carried out. The review includes an introduction to problem of NAPL contamination and transport, the benefits of applying geophysics to the NAPL contamination problems, a description of the SIP technique, and a summary of previous studies involving the use of SIP to the detect and monitor NAPL contamination.