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

  • Intrusive Rocks

    Intrusive Rocks In the volcanology branch of geology, intrusive rocks are igneous rocks that form and crystallize under the Earth’s ground surfaces, within other geologic formations. In fact, intrusive rocks form by the process of magma shooting through pre-existing sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic rocks. For instance, a pegmatite dyke or a batholith. On the other…

  • Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas

    Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas (In Natural Gas) Hydrogen Sulfide: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) soil gas geologically occurs upon the thermal and microbial decomposition of subsurface organic material deposits. It is typically identifiable in biogenic and petrogenic natural gas sources, along with higher concentrations of methane soil gas. Additionally, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, ethane, and isobutane exist within…

  • Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs)

    Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs): Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) are highly toxic human-engineered chlorinated hydrocarbons that have been used around the world as enhancers to hydraulic oil and electrical insulators. PCBs were applied for maintaining low flammability rates, high boiling points, and stronger chemical stability. As of 1979, PCBs have been banned from use in…

  • Epicenter

    Epicenter Epicenter: In the seismology branch of geology, an epicenter of an earthquake is the point on Earth’s surface that is directly above the focus (or hypocenter). It is the ground surface location overlying where an earthquake rupture originates within a dip-slip fault or strike-slip fault. Shortly after an earthquake, United States Geological Survey (USGS)…