ILLINOIS WATER SCIENCE CENTER

GEOPROBE^TM SYSTEM

The Illinois Water Science Center has increased its sampling capabilities for hydrologic

investigations by purchasing a Geoprobe^tm system. This mobile unit, mounted on a truck

chassis, is capable of obtaining soil, soil-gas, and ground-water samples using

"direct push" technology. Push-rods are advanced into the ground by using the static

weight of the truck combined with percussion energy. The Geoprobe is capable of

obtaining samples at depths of 100+ feet under certain geologic conditions and tool

assemblies. Hole diameters generally are from 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with 2-inch diameters

possible in some cases. Continuous soil cores, temporary wells, piezometers, soil-gas

implants, ground-water levels, ground-water samples, and slug tests are some of the

investigative tasks that can be completed with the Geoprobe.

Advantages of using the Geoprobe over conventional drilling and sampling technologies

include ease of mobilization, faster sample collection, and ease of equipment

decontamination. Ground-surface disturbance is minimal because the direct push

technology does not produce drill cuttings. Ground-water samples obtained with the

Geoprobe generally are used for screening purposes, however their use for selected

regulatory analyses is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Illinois Geoprobe system is self-contained in a 4-wheel drive "dually" truck, making

difficult off-road sampling possible. The truck comes complete with sampling tools and

water-storage capability. Since 2001, the Geoprobe has been used to collect soil and

ground-water samples, and install temporary wells and piezometers for hydrologic

investigations of the Illinois Water Science Center, as well as Water Science Centers

elsewhere in the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Central Regions of the U.S. Geological

Survey.

The Illinois Geoprobe, supporting equipment, and operators are available for hydrologic

investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey and its cooperating public partners. Additional

information concerning the Illinois Geoprobe system and its capabilities is available from:

Patrick Mills

Hydrologist

1201 W. University Ave.

Urbana, Illinois 61801

217.344.0037 x3027

pcmills@usgs.gov

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U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://il.water.usgs.gov Maintainer: webmaster@il.water.usgs.gov Site Develpment: Patrick Mills (pcmills@usgs.gov) Last Modified April 26, 2006 USGS Privacy | Disclaimer | FOIA | DOI | 508

USGS Water Resources Discipline Water Resources for Illinois 1201 W. University Ave,, Urbana, IL 61801 Tel: 217.344.0037 || Fax: 217.344.0082