Accurate groundwater testing and aquifer sampling is key to preventing arsenic and other contaminants from entering drinking water. Current sampling systems are limited to comparisons of spatially distant groundwater and aquifer sand sources and suffer from inefficiency. This technology efficiently preserves aquifer sand and groundwater samples by freezing them in their naturally occurring spatial arrangements, allowing for an improved profile of contaminants in these respective constituents. It uses a Peltier effect sampler to maintain sample integrity.
This technology is a sampling tool that enables the simultaneous collection of aquifer sand and groundwater. Unlike current techniques, this technology allows for collection of samples with one coring device that preserves the spatial arrangement of aquifer sands and groundwater, an ability that greatly improves the understanding of groundwater contamination and arsenic release. Additionally, this sampling technology is compatible with a variety of existing platforms, allow for a seamless transition to this new extraction method.
Rapid freezing of a sample core approximately 40 cubic centimeters in volume has been estimated to require less than 6 minutes.
Patent Pending
Available for licensing and sponsored research support
Tech Ventures Reference: IR M11-019