GeoConcepts Conducts 76-Mile Karst Terrain Survey
Media Contact:
Amanda Sanderson
GeoConcepts Engineering, Inc.
703/726-8030
ASanderson@GeoConcepts-Eng.Com
(ASHBURN, January 26, 2010) – GeoConcepts Engineering, Inc. (GeoConcepts) recently completed a comprehensive Karst Terrain Survey for a 76-mile length of a Colonial Pipeline. The survey was conducted through The Conservation fund, and was completed to identify karst features within the right-of-way of the existing pipeline. GeoConcepts utilized remote sensing technology to identify areas of potential concern along the pipeline, site reconnaissance to evaluate the areas of potential concern, and GPS technology to document and locate karst features.
The goal of this study was to assist the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in developing population estimates for the Madison Cave Isopod, a federally protected endangered species that only is found in ground water associated with the karst geology of the Great Valley of Virginia and West Virginia. The Karst Terrain Survey was completed in order to document areas where karst features had created open pathways from the ground surface to subsurface ground water. The findings and recommendations of the study will be used to allow the utility company to implement special provisions when conducting maintenance or repairs to the pipeline in areas where the open pathways are present.
Due to the extensive length of the survey, GeoConcepts developed a relatively unique method to identify areas of potential karst features by first utilizing remote sensing techniques. After this process, GeoConcepts geologists conducted site reconnaissance along the pipeline right of way to identify if karst features were present. The use of the remote sensing techniques significantly reduced the time and cost of the study.
The karst terrain survey identified multiple areas of karst features along the pipeline. In addition, the survey also identified a new cave, previously undocumented by the Virginia Speleological Survey. The study was also successful in providing a more accurate location to the known karst features since they were located with GPS. GeoConcepts’ ability to evaluate the presence and frequency of karst features throughout such an extensive linear area enabled us to identify the number of karst features per linear mile for the various geologic settings that the pipeline utility passed through.
About GeoConcepts Engineering, Inc.
is a minority/woman-owned business that provides professional geotechnical engineering, hydrogeologic, and environmental consulting services to private and public sector clients. GeoConcepts’ headquarters is in Ashburn, Virginia, and employs over 50 professional staff dedicated to exceeding clients’ expectations.
For more information visit www.geoconcepts-eng.com.
