A New Graphic Technique for Reporting Soil Quality Analyses

Soliman, Nassef; Atkin, David; Cotton, Douglas; ,

A New Graphic Technique for Reporting Soil Quality Analyses

by Nassef Soliman, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Trenton, United States,
David Atkin, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Trenton, United States,
Douglas Cotton, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Trenton, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Environmental Engineering

Abstract:

Boston's Artery/Harbor Tunnel Project is currently the United States' largest highway construction project. One of its major issues is the disposal of an estimated 11 million cubic yards of dredged and excavated material from Boston's waterfront, which has supported a wide variety of industrial and commercial activities since the colonial period. To assist in disposal site selection, design, and selection of material handling procedure, the material to be excavated was characterized for its chemical and physical properties. The chemical analyses of the soil samples generated a considerable amount of data. To draw conclusion about disposal options, statistical analyses were conducted to determine the spatial distribution of different contaminants. In order to obtain site-dependent statistical values for contaminants, the project alignment was divided into 14 horizontal zones with each zone divided into 3 vertical strata. Level of contamination were then divided into 3 categories in accordance with Massachusetts criteria. A graphic technique was developed to clearly show the results to the public and decision makers. On the basis of this presentation technique, it became much simpler to discuss disposal options and look at spatial correlations. The results of the program indicate that urban waterfront soil characteristics can vary significantly over relatively short horizontal and vertical distances.

Return to search