Underground Storage Tank (UST)

Underground Storage Tank (UST)

Underground Storage Tank (UST): An underground storage tank (UST) is a confined container occupying any volume of space within the subsurface, for the purposes of storing liquid. Underground tanks typically support commercial and residential services and have filling ports, ventilation pipes, and connecting product pipelines. Underground storage tanks (USTs) come in different sizes and are made with various materials (for example- fiberglass, steel, plastic, polymer, or combinations of these in the form of double walling).

Underground Storage Tank Abandonment & Removal Process - Geo Forward
Underground Storage Tank Abandonment & Removal Process – Photo by Geo Forward

Environmental Conditions of Underground Storage Tanks

Commonly, USTs are used to contain hazardous liquids, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, waste oil, heating oil, etc. As a result, underground tank contamination is a recognized environmental condition. And the underground storage tank removal process entails mandatory environmental compliance. Moreover, modern environmental laws require certain facilities to maintain leak detection systems, vacuum and pressure sensors, and subsurface secondary containment units with USTs to prevent UST soil pollution.

Also See:

Similar Posts

  • Mineraloid

    ByGeo Forward

    Mineraloid Definition The term “mineraloid” refers to a natural earth substance that appears to be similar to a genuine mineral, although lacks any form of internal structure and crystal form. Nonetheless, a mineraloid does comprise true minerals within it. For instance, Fire Opal and Blue Opal are not minerals because they are amorphous (do not…

  • Underground Storage Tank Soil Contamination

    ByGeo Forward

    Underground Storage Tank Soil Contamination When there’s a problem with contamination from an underground storage tank, local environmental agencies get involved, and a geologist is needed to handle the cleanup. The most common reason for contamination is when an underground storage tank (UST) at a gas station starts leaking. USTs are used to store gasoline,…

  • Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs)

    ByGeo Forward

    Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs) Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs): MSLs are a list of risk-based hydrocarbon concentrations for soil pollution evaluations, that is developed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. These screening levels are based on the Leaking Underground Fuel Tanks (LUFT) Manual, for cleaning up soil contamination from leaking USTs. However, MSLs…

  • Poorly Graded

    ByGeo Forward

    Poorly Graded Soil Poorly Graded: In the soil classification process of geology, poorly graded soil represents a sedimentary soil sample that only displays one or a few of the numerous other possible grain sizes for that soil classification, in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). For example, a poorly graded sand (SP) may…

  • Rotational Slide (Slump)

    ByGeo Forward

    Rotational Slide (Slump) Definition Rotational Slide (Slump):  A rotational slide is a type of landslide movement that occurs in a turning moment, about a pivot point that is above the center of gravity. This is typically due to an increased normal force on a slope, as well as a reduced cohesion factor of the soil…

  • Milliequivalent per liter

    ByGeo Forward

    Milliequivalent per liter Milliequivalent per liter (meq/L): A unit used to express the chemical equivalence of the concentration of solutes in a solution. It is calculated by dividing the concentration of a substance (in mg/L) by its equivalent weight. This measurement helps in understanding the reactive capacity of ions in the solution.