Development of Cone Penetrometer Electro-Chemical Sensor Probes for Chlorinated Solvents and Explosives

摘要

Electrochemical sensor technology has been successfully adapted for use as sensors in the cone penetrometer probes that are used to perform subsurface in situ soil contaminant identification with the Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS). The SCAPS is a rapid, in-field tool system of specialized subsurface sensors and samplers that provide a cost-effective means to characterize soil conditions at depths of up to 50 m. Two contaminant-specific probes have been optimized to expand the capabilities of SCAPS. They are 1) an explosive probe, and 2) a probe for chlorinated hydrocarbon containing materials (RCl), primarily solvents. Early versions of the SCAPS explosives probe have been used at four sites. Detailed aboratory assessment of thermal decomposition processes of explosive compounds has made it possible to distinguish the presence of nitroaromatic compounds from inorganic nitrates that may also be present in explosive-contaminated soils.