Magnetometer and Gradiometer Surveys for Detection of Underground Storage Tanks

Abstract

In recent years there has been a surge of interest in methods for rapid and reliable detection and location of underground storage tanks and other cultural features related to hazardous substances in the subsurface. In the United States much of the motivation comes from recent environmental protection legislation that regulates underground storage tanks, including both existing and new installations. U.S. regulatory matters aside, ground-water contamination is a problem that knows no national borders; remediation of sites where hazardous substances can invade or have invaded ground-water supplies is a global concern. Detection and location of underground steel storage tanks can be readily accomplished using magnetometer and magnetic gradiometer surveys, which are a passive variety of remote sensing. This paper presents investigations at two sites at Hill Air Force Base, northern Utah. In each case, magnetometer and gradiometer data have proven to be valuable for assessing the possibilities of existence and location of buried underground storage tanks. Relevant magnetic-field principles are reviewed and methods of data acquisition, reduction, analysis and interpretation are described.