Sources Buried on Land

The primary purpose for this discussion of EF T of the molecules is to provide the one who employs a trace chemical sensor with means to increase the probability of locating and identifying the source. A thorough understanding of the transport processes presents options to the system designer and the operator to make a system more successful. 

Since there is no effective mechanism for transporting molecules from a buried source to the surface when the soil is very dry (see Section 4.3.1.3) when faced with such conditions, the system operator may need to become innovative. In addition, unless there is some mechanism for horizontal transport of molecules in moist soil, the operator should expect the strongest surface concentration to appear directly above the buried source. 

Search strategies that exploit the natural tendency of the molecules to remain adsorbed on surface particles and to become trapped in the boundary layers near the surface are likely to be most productive. If odor plumes from buried sources do develop, they are likely to remain close to the surface until they dissipate from turbulence. 

When seeking buried sources, the material presented here should make it clear that some times and some weather conditions are more favorable than others. Alternately, when circumstances do not permit waiting for a more propitious time or weather condition, it may be that artificially increasing either moisture or temperature will prove useful. 

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