      
Feedback from satisfied
clients
"ECA
has done excellent work for Black & Veatch on our US
Air Force range site. The geophysical data set collected
in the field by ECA was used to locate buried debris and
anomalies and was considered very thorough and complete.
The knowledge and experience ECA provided helped to guide
the investigation and proved invaluable."
Jennifer Canfield, Black &
Veatch Special Projects Corporation
"AECOM conducted an RFI at
Galena, Alaska. Galena is located in a remote part
of Alaska. Due to its remote location and harsh
environment, field work must be completed efficiently as
possible, including “one-time, get it right”
equipment mobilization. ECA Geophysics was
selected to perform geophysical surveys during the Summer
of 2009. ECA Geophysics was up to the call and
provided timely, cost effective, and efficient
survey results at a most challenging jobsite."
Collen J. Brownlow, PE, AECOM
Technical Services
ECA Geophysics is a
registered subsidiary of Environmental
Compliance Associates, LLC
We have HAZWOPER trained
registered environmental engineers (24+ years experience)
to write Health and Safety Plans (HASPs) for geophysical
surveys performed at hazardous waste or CERCLA sites. Our
geophysical surveyors hold current HAZWOPER training.
Our surveys are designed
and often performed by our senior geophysicist who holds
an advanced degree (1984) in geophysics from the Colorado
School of Mines - a school with an actual geophysics
DEPARTMENT that trains geophysicists through a hands-on
rigorous curriculum. Unlike most schools, a geophysics
degree from the Colorado School of Mines is NOT a geology
degree with a few geophysics courses thrown in!
As stated, we are not simply
undergraduate degreed geologists and we are most
definitely not an elevation surveying firm or other
non-geophysical firm with technicians who perform
geophysical surveys while being totally
clueless as to Nyquist Sampling
Theory and other geophysical science fundamentals!
Through our academic and professional affiliations (ie,
Colorado School of Mines and the Environmental and
Engineering Geophysical Society - EEGS), we access a
"brain trust" of equally-qualified
geophysicists.
To eliminate the
establishment of expensive manual grids, our surveys
utilize DGPS guidance and are based upon geodetic
coordinate systems such as the State Plane, WGS 84 or
UTM. Our final deliverables are fully compatible with
your company's GIS and AutoCAD databases!
ECA Geophysics performs
ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys, seismic
refraction and ReMi surveys, gravity surveys, magnetic
surveys, electromagnetic surveys and electrical
resistivity surveys nationwide.
GEOTECHNICAL
GEOPHYSICS:
Seismic Refraction and Refraction Microtremor
(ReMi™) Surveys
We consider ReMi™
Surveys to be superior to MASW Surveys in the following
ways:
Utilizing state-of-the-art data
processing technology and field equipment, ECA's
geophysicists accurately
determine:
Shear wave (Vs) / Compressional wave (Vp) information for foundation design
NEHRP / IBC site classifications
GEOTECHNICAL
GEOPHYSICS:
Refraction Microtremor (ReMi™) Survey at a Haz
Waste Landfill in Oregon
PROJECT: ReMi™ surveys at a closed waste
disposal site in The Dalles, Oregon
LOCATION: The Dalles, OR
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed
ReMi™ Surveys at a closed 8-acre waste disposal
site to passively measure microtremors within the upper
55 feet of the subsurface, in order to determine the
depth to competent (non-rippable) basalt bedrock.
 
GEOTECHNICAL
GEOPHYSICS:
ReMi™ Surveys at National Retail Stores in Washington
PROJECT: Refraction Microtremor (ReMi™) surveys
at active national chain stores in Washington
LOCATION: Wenatchee, WA / Woodinville, WA /
Yakima, WA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed
ReMi™ Surveys for active retail properties to
passively measure microtremors within the upper 100 feet
(30 meters) of the subsurface, in order to acquire Vs,
the average shear-wave velocity required to ascertain the
proper NEHRP / IBC site class. This information provided
to the client's design team an ACCURATE (vs asumed)
seismic site classification from which to design the
safest and most cost-effective extensions to the active
store buildings.
  
GEOTECHNICAL
GEOPHYSICS:
Refraction / ReMi™ Surveys at Proposed Wind Energy
Project in Washington
PROJECT:
Refraction and ReMi™ surveys at a proposed
Wind Farm near Ellensburg, Washington
LOCATION: West of Ellensburg, WA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed
seismic refraction / ReMi™ surveys at 22 proposed
Wind Turbine Generator sites for the primary purpose of
obtaining shear-wave (Vs) and compressional-wave (Vp)
velocities. This information enabled the client (major
geotechnical firm) to augment their drilling information
and present accurate subsurface design criteria
recommendations to their client.
   
GROUND
PENETRATING RADAR (GPR) in WA, ID, SD, WY, AK
Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, ECA utilizes
GPR to assist clients in the following ways:
Locate shallow
metallic (and nonmetallic) pipes, drums and tanks
Utility and rebar
locating
Locate buried
infrastructure and voids
GPR Survey to
Locate ReBar / Conduit within Telecommunications
Center in Yakima, Washington
PROJECT:
GPR Survey of AT&T Building
LOCATION: Yakima, WA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and
performed a Hi-Res (1.6 GB antenna) GPR survey of
a concrete floor to locate and identify embedded
rebar and conduit. Performed detailed survey that
enabled the safe cutting of floor for follow-up
construction activities.
GPR Survey to
Locate USTs and Piping for Hanford Area Sites in
Washington
PROJECT:
GPR survey of Hanford Area sites in Washington
LOCATION: Hanford Area, WA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and
performed GPR surveys of the 200 Area, traffic
corridors along Routes 3 and 4 and the Waste
Sampling and Characterization Facility (WSCF).
Performed instrument calibrations with known
onsite buried features, to establish reliable
depth estimates.
 
GPR Survey to
Locate USTs and Piping for Hanford Area
Facilities
 
PROJECT: GPR survey
of Hanford Area facilities in Washington
LOCATION: Richland, Washington
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and
performed a GPR survey of industrial sites, to
determine the presence of buried USTs, piping and
electrical conduit. Performed onsite instrument
"calibration" with known onsite buried
features, to establish reliable depth estimates.
GPR Survey to Locate
Underground Fuel Lines and USTs at a Closed Air Force
Base in Alaska
PROJECT:
GPR Survey of a closed Air Force base in Alaska
LOCATION: Galena, AK
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed GPR
surveys of 14 areas of concern regarding the possible
presence of buried underground fuel storage tanks (USTs),
fuel lines, piping and electrical conduit. Performed
detailed surveys so as to provide accurate locations to
Client for subsequent environmental drilling and sampling
activities.
 
GPR Survey to Delineate
Abandoned Trenches at an Unpermitted Disposal Site in
Washington
PROJECT: GPR survey with confirmatory
excavations in Washington
LOCATION:
Grandview, WA
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: Performed a saturation GPR survey of
farmland (suspected of having illegally buried drums of
herbicides and pesticides) to identify / locate the edges
of trenches. Recommended excavation locations that
enabled client to obtain evidence for subsequent legal
actions. Excavations confirmed trench edges and buried
drums identified by GPR surveying.
 
 
GPR Survey to Delineate
Edges of USTs at a Gas Station in Idaho
PROJECT: GPR survey with
confirmatory drilling in Idaho
LOCATION:
Moyie Springs, ID
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: Performed a saturation GPR survey of an
active gas station, to identify / locate the edges and
ends of three inactive closed-in-place USTs. Performed
onsite instrument "calibration" with active
UST, to establish reliable depth estimates. Recommended
desired drilling locations (within 2-3 feet of tank ends)
for environmental sampling required to obtain regulatory
tank closure. Drilling confirmed near-tank backfill and
never breached any of the tanks.
 
GPR Survey to Identify
Cultural and Archaeological Features in Washington
PROJECT: GPR survey with
confirmatory digging in Washington
LOCATION:
Olmstead State Park, WA
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: Performed a reconnaissance GPR survey of
an historical homestead, to identify / locate prospective
locations of historical privies, wells and debris
middens. Recommended digging locations within an area
that was tantamount to finding a "needle within a
haystack". Digging confirmed better than 50 percent
success rate.
 
GPR Survey to Locate USTs
and Piping at a Retail Facility in Washington
PROJECT: GPR survey with confirmatory
drilling + soil and water sampling / analysis in Spokane,
Washington
LOCATION:
Spokane, WA
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: Designed
and performed a tight-line / saturation Ground
Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of an active retail
property, to determine the presence, if any, of buried
1950s-vintage underground storage tanks (USTs). Performed
onsite instrument "calibration" with known
onsite buried features, to establish reliable depth
estimates. Directed drilling contractor in the strategic
placement of soil borings, to confirm GPR
interpretations. Successfully confirmed the absence of
USTs at key locations having GPR anomalies solely
attributable to an eroded bedrock surface. Directed
subsequent groundwater sampling activities.
   
GPR Survey to Locate USTs
and Piping at a Retail Facility in Washington
PROJECT: GPR survey of a commercial property in
Spokane, Washington
LOCATION: Spokane, WA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed a
tight-line / saturation Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
survey of an active retail property, to determine the
presence, if any, of buried 1950s-vintage underground
storage tanks (USTs). Performed onsite instrument
"calibration" with known onsite buried
features, to establish reliable depth estimates.
Successfully confirmed the absence of USTs at locations
having GPR anomalies attributable to an eroded bedrock
surface.
 
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
Combining several methods to obtain a better perspective
The combined information from
different geophysical surveying methods often allows ECA's
geophysicists to provide
interpretations with much greater confidence.
Magnetics with Electromagnetic Induction (EMI)
GPR with Magnetics and/or EMI
GPR with Metal Detection (EMI or EM-61)
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
Magnetic / EMI Surveys at an Air Force Base in
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Designed and performed total-field magnetometer
surveys in tandem with EM-31 terrain conductivity (EMI)
surveys of approximately 53 acres of closed landfills at
an Air Force base in New Mexico. Survey was
designed to detect buried metallic debris and soil
conductivity. The magnetic method successfully identified
numerous burial locations and the EM-31 method
successfully delineated boundaries of old landfilling
sites. Performed detailed data reduction and provided
Client with line-contour and color-contour maps with
Latitude-Longitude coordinates.
  
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
GPR and EMI Surveys at an Air Force Site in the
Mojave Desert of California
Designed and performed a GPR survey in tandem with an
EM-31 terrain conductivity survey of nine closed
landfilling areas at an abandoned Air Force gunnery range
located in the Mojave Desert of California and just east
of the film location for the movie Hidalgo.
Surveys were designed to detect burial trenches in
general and buried metallic debris in particular. The GPR
method successfully identified numerous trench locations
and the EM-31 method successfully confirmed metallic
debris contained therein. Performed detailed data
reduction and provided Client with GPR profiles and
color-contour maps with Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) coordinates.
 
  
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
GPR and EMI Surveys at an Air Force Base near Ogden,
Utah
Designed and performed a GPR survey in tandem with an
EM-31 terrain conductivity survey regarding two suspected
Mg/Th aeronautical debris dump sites at an Air Force base
in Utah. Survey was designed to detect buried
non-ferrous metallic debris. The in-phase component of
the EM-31 method identified suspected locations of
non-ferrous metals and the GPR method identified
suspected burial locations. Performed detailed data
reduction and provided Client with color-contour maps
with UTM coordinates.
 
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
EMI and ReMi™ Surveys at a Hazardous Waste Landfill
in Oregon
PROJECT: Electromagnetic (EMI) and ReMi™ surveys
at a closed hazardous waste disposal site
LOCATION: The Dalles, OR
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Designed and performed a 5-ft
spaced EMI survey in tandem with ReMi™ surveys at a
closed 8-acre waste disposal site. The goals of this
integrated geophysical investigation was to 1) detect
landfill boundaries, 2) identify locations of buried
metallic debris / drums and 3) to determine the depth to
competent (non-rippable) basalt bedrock. All
three goals were successfully achieved!
 
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
Magnetic and EMI Surveys at a Solid Waste Landfill near Pasco, Washington
Designed and performed a total-field magnetometer
survey in tandem with an EM-31 terrain conductivity
survey of a closed municipal solid waste landfill located
east of Pasco, Washington. Survey was designed to
detect buried metallic debris and drums. The in-phase
component of the EM-31 method successfully identified
locations of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and the
magnetic method confirmed the burial locations of
suspected 55-gallon drums. Performed detailed data
reduction and provided Client with color-contour maps
with UTM coordinates.
 
INTEGRATED
GEOPHYSICS:
GPR and Metal Detection Surveys at a Retail Facility in Rapid City, South Dakota
Designed and performed a GPR survey in tandem with an
EM-61 metal detection survey of a parking lot for a
Safeway store in Rapid City, South Dakota. Surveys were
designed to detect buried metallic and non-metallic drums
and piping apparently left from a previous gas station
removal. The GPR method successfully identified numerous
non-metallic pipe runs and the EM-61 method successfully
confirmed metallic debris contained therein and
elsewhere. Performed detailed data reduction and provided
Client with GPR profiles and a color-contour map with
internally referenced coordinates.
  
POTENTIAL-FIELD
METHODS
Magnetic
Surveys
Designed and performed a total-field magnetometer
survey of a 26-acre wood-waste
landfill. This magnetic survey was designed to detect
buried metallic debris to a depth of 12 feet and was
augmented by an EM-34 soil conductivity (soil mapping)
survey.
 Designed and performed (utilizing a
total-field magnetometer) a gradiometer survey of an
asphalt-paved parking lot for a US Bank property. The
presumed target was an underground storage tank (UST) and
associated fuel lines. Processed data to isolate residual
anomalies and successfully and accurately located an
abandoned fuel line and associated tank removal debris.
Designed and performed a total-field magnetic survey at
an abandoned Atlas Missile silo in eastern Washington.
Processed data to isolate residual anomalies and
determined that no suspected metallic debris existed at
survey location.
Designed and performed a high resolution total field
magnetic survey of an abandoned dump site at a pulpwood
processing facility in Louisiana. Processed data to
isolate residual anomalies, which were correctly
interpreted to be buried metallic debris occurring within
ten feet of the surface. Woodward-Clyde Consultants
project.
Designed and performed (utilizing a two-sensor
magnetometer) a gradiometer survey of an abandoned dump
site at a pesticides manufacturing facility in Arkansas.
Correctly interpreted depth and location of buried
metallic debris and utilized such findings to direct a
safe environmental drilling operation. This (gradiometer)
method enabled an effortless, yet effective removal of
the considerable cultural "noise" that existed
adjacent to the project area. Woodward-Clyde Consultants
project.
Designed and performed a total-field magnetic survey in
northwest Arkansas, in order to augment existing data
(U.S. Geological Survey) that strongly indicate a large
igneous mass at depth. All survey "loops" were
properly closed and double checked for accuracy before
leaving the project area. Manually reduced data and
performed forward modeling of same in order to determine
the vertical distance to the top of the body; interpreted
to be approximately 17,000 feet deep. Colorado School of
Mines project.
Electromagnetic
(EMI) Surveys
Designed and performed an EM-34 soil
conductivity (soil mapping) survey of a 26-acre
wood-waste landfill. This soil mapping survey was
designed to detect buried drums at a depth of 60 feet and
was augmented by a total-field magnetometer survey.
While employed
with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ), performed approximately 40 reconnaissance EM-31
soil conductivity surveys of proposed landfill sites.
Performed an EM-31 soil conductivity survey of the U.S.
Navy's Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Hackberry,
Louisiana. Survey results enabled the prime contractor
(Fluor Daniel) to design an effective perimeter warning
system for the facility. Woodward-Clyde Consultants
project.
Designed and performed an EM-61 metal detection survey of
a 26-acre wood-waste landfill. Survey was designed
to detect buried metallic debris to a depth
of 12 feet and was augmented by a total-field
magnetometer survey. Innovative in-field
adjustments were made to address omnipresent data
artifacts attributed to high brush, steep hummocks, and
poor traction due to loose soil.
Performed an EM-34 soil conductivity (soil mapping)
survey of a proposed 80-acre extension to an existing
landfill. Results enabled prime contractor to locate
ancient stream channels buried beneath the project area.
Performed as a subcontractor to Browning Ferris
Industries.
Designed and performed an EM-31 soil conductivity (soil
mapping) survey at a convenience store site having
significant hydrocarbon contamination of the near surface
water table. Subsurface consisted of exposed vertical
beds which disallowed otherwise predictable diffuse flow
patterns. Survey results provided a plausible explanation
for apparent conduit flow of contaminants; recommended
recovery well locations were given to the client.
Woodward-Clyde Consultants project.
ELECTRICAL
METHOD
Vertical
Electrical Soundings - Designed and performed vertical
electrical soundings (VES) for proposed landfilling
sites, utilizing an electrical resistivity system to
determine depth to the water table. ADEQ project.
Electrical
Resistance Tomography - Participated in the Leak Detection
Monitoring and Mitigation (LDMM) Project that utilized
Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) developed by the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and implemented at
the Hanford Nuclear Reservation located in south-central
Washington State.
SEISMIC
REFLECTION METHOD
Compiled
and rigorously edited stacking velocity data to produce
velocity maps at specified travel time intervals. These
maps were verified to be extremely accurate, enabling
exploration staff at AMOCO Production's Alaska North
Slope group to make much needed time-depth conversions.
Produced time-structure Maps via interpretation of Gulf
Coast seismic reflection data while employed with Conoco,
Inc.
Produced time-structure Maps via interpretation of
complex Overthrust Belt seismic reflection data for a
graduate school project at the Colorado School of Mines.
Coordinated the processing of complex trace seismic
reflection data for the Lafayette, LA, Corpus Christi, TX
and Houston, TX exploration divisions. Efforts yielded
more cost-efficient data processing and concurrently
provided exploration staff with
significantly enhanced data displays; often enabling more
rapid prospect generation times for the company.
Recognized by Corpus Christi Division Manager for
enabling the early AFE (Authorization for Expenditure)
for an oil well in that area.
While employed at Woodward-Clyde Consultants, critiqued
shallow seismic reflection data acquired and processed by
an independent geophysics contractor, regarding a
proposed landfill site in northwest Arkansas. Recommended
that client request contractor to reprocess data in order
to better isolate refraction "first breaks"
needed to determine the soil-bedrock interface.
Worked on a geophysics Vibroseis crew in Wyoming when
employed with Conoco, Inc. Worked on a seismic reflection
survey in the Front Range in Colorado, while assisting a
fellow graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines.
GRAVITY
METHOD
Designed and performed
multiple-traverse surveys across the geologic boundary
between the Eastern Klamath Mountains / Cascade Range
provinces. Elevation surveying of gravity stations was
performed utilizing non-GPS elevation surveying
equipment. All survey "loops" were properly
closed and double checked for accuracy before leaving the
project area. Data processing incorporated sophisticated
computerized terrain-corrections at all gravity stations,
utilizing high resolution digital elevation data.
Performed forward modeling of reduced (Complete Bouguer
Anomaly) data to yield a geologically plausible
interpretation of the complex subsurface geology in the
Mt. Shasta area of northern California. Master's thesis,
Colorado School of Mines.
Designed and performed "piggybacked" gravity
traverses above and within the Department of Defense's
experimental tunnel at Idaho Springs, Colorado. This
graduate school project (Colorado School of Mines) was an
attempt to determine the apparent density of the tunnel
overburden. Location and elevation surveying was
performed at all stations, in order to eliminate terrain
related effects. Received an A+ grade for this innovative
and unique project.
BOREHOLE
LOG INTERPRETATION
While
employed with Conoco, Inc. analyzed and correlated
well-log data in order to produce geologic structural
maps of subsurface horizons in Louisiana and Oklahoma,
for the purpose of oil and gas prospect generation.
Analyzed and correlated well-log data in order to map the
top of a highly permeable subsurface formation that was
utilized as an injection zone for the disposal of brines
generated by an aluminum recycling facility in southern
Arkansas. Woodward-Clyde Consultants project.
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ECA 
