SBIR-STTR Award

Although high-resolution geophysical measurements have been proven to be valuable for characterizing the subsurface at contaminated DOE sites, the data are not yet in routine use. The obstacles are twofold: (1) the potential inconsistency between intepretations of geophysical data and conventional pointwise lithologic and hydrogeologic data, and (2) the lack of comprehesive tools to logically utilize all data to assist in making coherent interpretation. This project will develop a user-friendly software that utilizes state-of-the-art Bayesian estimation and geostatistical methods to facilitate the use of high-resolution geophysical measurements for estimating hydrogeological parameters. Phase I will focus on the development of HydroImage, a software for integrating high-resolution crosshole geophysical tomographic data and borehole hydrogeological measuremenst. The software will combine the following subsystems to allow an investigator to efficiently and cost-effectively perform data analysis and make coherent interpretations: (1) a user-friendly interface, including visualization and data output capabilities; (2) a geostatistical integration subsystem; (3) a geophysical inversion subsystem; (4) a petrophysical and scale matching subsystem; and (5) a Bayesian integration subsystem.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The HydroImage software should provide improvements in mapping and understanding hydrogeologic processes, improve the prediction of flow and transport of contaminants, and allow remediation systems to be designed to be more efficient and cost-effective. Attendant benefits would include the reduction of a public health risk and the ability of wildlife to settle in their former habitat

At thousands of sites across the U.S., groundwater and soils are contaminated with hazardous chemicals, metals, and radioactive contaminants. At both private and government sites, including DOE, there is strong interest in reducing the costs of cleanup and long-term monitoring. Many advances have recently occurred in the field of hydrogeophysics, where geophysical data are used to estimate hydrogeological parameters and monitor processes that govern contaminant fate, transport, and remediation. However, broad application of these advances has not yet occurred, because of the lack of user-friendly tools. This project will develop a user-friendly software package, which integrates continuous geophysical data with limited borehole data to estimate hydrogeological parameters of interest in the subsurface. The software package can be used to significantly enhance site-conceptual models and improve the design and operation of remediation systems. Phase I developed the basic components for the software package: a graphical user interface, a radar and seismic tomography inversion tool, a geostatistical integration tool, a petrophysical model development tool, and a Bayesian integration tool. Phase II will augment, refine, and test the software package using hydrological and geophysical data collected at several sites. The refinements will include: (1) an expansion of all components described above; (2) an ability to input and utilize surface geophysical, cone penetrometer testing, and processed electrical resistivity data; (3) the development of workflow modules to guide users through the estimation procedure; (4) the development of a centralized database and enhanced visualization capabilities, and (5) the development of quality control and help modules.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
It is anticipated that the software package would be licensed to companies interested in providing groundwater monitoring services to the environmental industry, site owner, and consultants. Benefits would include vastly improved conceptual models and more effective remediation of groundwater and soils, with the potential for saving millions of dollars. The current U.S. environmental remediation market is greater than $6.4 billion annually.