Electronic Nose–Membrane Interface Probe for Geoenvironmental Site Characterization
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 9
Abstract
This paper describes pioneering research to integrate a novel “electronic nose” (EN) technology with a membrane interface probe (MIP) for rapidly screening hydrocarbon contaminated sites. The electronic nose is an automated odor recognition device that detects and identifies chemical vapors based on the principles of human olfaction. The MIP is an in situ tool that samples volatile organic compounds from the subsurface and transports the vapor through tubing to analytical devices located on the surface. The electronic nose developed for this research was first trained and tested to identify vapor samples of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene at three different concentration levels. The integrated EN–MIP system was then tested in gasoline-spiked aqueous soil samples in the laboratory. In situ demonstration tests were conducted in collaboration with the U.S. EPA at a gasoline-contaminated site in Rhode Island. The EN–MIP system was successful in detecting and estimating the concentration levels of gasoline contamination at various depths.
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Acknowledgments
The writers acknowledge the financial support of the National Science Foundation, Career Award (CMS-9875037), under thedirection of Dr. Richard J. Fragaszy, Program Director for Geomechanics and Geotechnical Systems. Funding for the field investigation was provided by the U.S. EPA (Assistance #X-98151201). The laboratory facilities, field equipment, and support provided by the EPA New England Regional Laboratory are greatly appreciated. Thanks are extended to Dr. Bill Andrade, Mr. Robert Maxfield, Mr. Jerry Keefe, Mr. Daniel Boudreau, and Mr. Daniel Granz of the EPA. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies. The anonymous journal reviewers are greatly appreciated for their thorough review and constructive comments.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 9 • September 2006
Pages: 1133 - 1142
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: May 24, 2005
Accepted: Jan 26, 2006
Published online: Sep 1, 2006
Published in print: Sep 2006
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