A Modification of Freeze-Core Technology for Collecting Granular Fluvial Sediment Samples

Abstract

The presence of coarse-grained sediment can potentially reduce the effectiveness of conventional sampling methods in recovering fluvial sediments. A modification to freeze-core technology was used to collect fine to coarse sands, silts, and clays in fluvial deposits that contain significant amounts of gravels, cobbles, and boulders for the purpose of characterizing the extent of heavy metal contamination. This modification uses either a 2.5 or 2.9 cm diameter by 30-cm- long finned mechanical or hand-driven samplers. The sediment is frozen to the outside of the sampler by injecting liquid CO2 into the sampler. The fins protect the sample from coarse material upon removal. Field testing and laboratory testing of the method were completed to establish a methodology and assess possible cross contamination of the sediment layers during the driving of the sampler. The results indicated that this method is effective for recovering non-cohesive sediment samples at depths up to 6 m for the purpose of characterizing the extent of heavy metal contamination.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Artificial freezing; Coarse grain; Freeze-core; Tailings; Carbon dioxide; Coarse-grained sediments; Cross contamination; Fluvial sediment; Heavy metal contamination; Laboratory testing; Sediment samples; alluvial deposit

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1866-6280

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2014

Link to Full Text

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