System and Method for Detecting Contamination Using Vegetation Sampling Inventor: Walker , J.L., Nashold, B.W., and Burton , J.C. Granted: May 4, 2004

Abstract

A method for performing exploration of the vadose soil zone first obtains samples of the surface vegetation from a region. Next, the samples are analyzed to determine if a contaminant is present in any of the analyzed samples. Finally, a determination is made if a vadose soil zone at that region is contaminated based on the analyzed samples. As a result of the contamination determination, further, more detailed site characterization can be performed at only those regions that are contaminated.