The use of electrical resistivity for detection of leacheate plumes in waste disposal sites

摘要

Waste disposal in dumpsites or even in sanitary landfills can generate contaminants. The detection and delineation of the shape of the contamination plume can be assessed using monitoring systems or different site investigation techniques. This paper presents results of two case histories where vertical electrical and dipole-dipole electrical soundings were carried out in a deactivated dumpsite and in a sanitary landfill in Brazil. Test results were interpreted to assess physical properties of the ground and of the waste, as well as to detect and delineate the shape of leacheate plume. Test results show that the major advantage of using geophysical methods is to guide geotechnical in situ testing as well as to properly locate monitoring wells. Preliminary piezocone testing carried out at specific locations for both sites are presented and the advantages and limitations of this technology for site investigation of tropical soils is briefly discussed.