Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348418
Research Project: Sustainable Management and Byproduct Utilization of Manure Nutrients and Environmental Contaminants from Beef and Swine Production Facilities

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Development and application of an automated early-warning wastewater pond leak detector using resistivity array technology

Author
item Woodbury, Bryan
item EIGENBERG, ROGER - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Fast Times: News for the Near Surface Geophysical Sciences
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2017
Publication Date: 12/10/2017
Citation: Woodbury, B.L., Eigenberg, R.A. 2017. Development and application of an automated early-warning wastewater pond leak detector using resistivity array technology. Fast Times: News for the Near Surface Geophysical Sciences. 22(4):56-63.

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: Precipitation runoff from open-lot feedlots contains manure, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds and is stored in holding ponds to prevent discharge to soil or surface waters (Dolliver and Gupta, 2008; Bartelt-Hunt et al., 2012). Protecting the underlying soil and groundwater from these contaminants is critical for environmental sustainability. Historically, monitoring wells are the principal tool used for detecting subsurface leakage from holding ponds. Locating monitoring wells to intercept groundwater contaminants requires detailed geologic and hydrologic knowledge of the site; however, this detailed information is rarely available. Monitoring wells are costly to install and, if improperly constructed, can be a direct conduit to the groundwater along the annular space of the well (Barcelona et al., 1985; Exner and Spalding, 1985; Ross, 2010). Alternative monitoring methods using geophysical technologies have potential for improving early leak detection while reducing risks associated with monitoring wells. One geophysical tool with the potential to enhance monitoring is resistivity arrays (RA). Basic RAs have been used by geophysicists, archaeologists, mineral and oil prospectors, and geologists since its inception. In addition, RAs have been used to map landfills to determine their extent of impact (Carpenter et al., 1990). More recently, a series of field studies were conducted developing RA technology as an early-warning system for subsurface leakage detection from agricultural runoff holding ponds (Eigenberg and Woodbury, 2012; Woodbury et al., 2015; Woodbury et al., 2016). The successful application of the RA technology for early detection of contaminant leakage relies on two principles: 1) positioning the technology in close proximity to the most likely point of the leakage from the pond (Parker et al., 1999) and 2) the difference in the resistivity between the parent material and the contaminant plume that fills the pore space. Work continues improving the technology as an automated leak detector.