Statistical Verification and Remediation Sampling Methods Demonstrations
MR-200837
Objective
The Department of Defense is evaluating large areas of land for release for public or private use. Some of these areas may have been used previously as artillery or bombing ranges. To minimize the unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk, this project focuses on statistical methods for more efficient remediation and digging practices as well as post-remediation verification.
Technology Description
PNNL has developed two possible approaches for verification sampling and included them as modules in the Visual Sample Plan (VSP) software. One is based on 100% geophysical survey of a remediated area with a random selection of the identified anomalies that need to be dug. The other is a partial transect survey of the remediated site with all identified anomalies of interest within those selected transects dug. These methods will be demonstrated on a site and adapted to include a Bayesian spatial component. Another statistical Bayesian approach for use during remediation digging has also been developed. The method helps determine the probability that any detected anomalies remaining in the ground are not UXO. This method will be evaluated and expanded to include available spatial and temporal information. This approach will be demonstrated on one or more sites and any additions or improvements will be incorporated into VSP.
Benefits
Because of the high number of anomalies that exist on a site, the expense of digging anomalies during the remediation process is a leading cost. The vast majority of dug items are not UXO. Better discrimination technologies will improve this ratio, but more optimal sampling and digging strategies are needed for the remediation and verification phases. Specific benefits of this project include: (1) cost and time savings by reducing the number of anomalies that must be dug to achieve a sufficiently low probability of remaining UXO, (2) statistically defensible, cost-effective post-remediation verification methods for demonstrating an acceptably low risk of UXO, and (3) validated, demonstrated software for developing an optimal remediation digging and verification sampling approach. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2011)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Mr. Brent Pulsipher
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNL)
Phone: 509-375-3989
Fax: 509-375-2604
Project Documents
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.