Characterization of an unregulated landfill using surface-based geophysics and geostatistics
- Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States). Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering
- Terracon Environmental Inc., Omaha, NE (United States)
This paper develops a geoelectrical and geostatistical-based methodology that can be used to screen unregulated landfills for the presence of leachate and obtain an approximation of the vertical/spatial extent of waste. The methodology uses a surface electromagnetic (EM) survey combined with indicator kriging. Indicator kriging allows for the use of EM data that have been collected over highly electrically conductive material such as that occurring within landfills. Indicator kriging maps were generated for several vertical sections cut through a landfill to establish the landfill strata. Similarly, horizontal sections were generated to evaluate the areas extent of waste and leachate in the vadose zone and saturated zones, respectively. The horizontal and vertical maps were combined to estimate the volume of solid waste and liquid within three zones: (1) waste, (2) waste and/or leachate, and (3) potential leachate. The methodology appears to hold promise in providing results that can be used as part of a hazard assessment, or to assist in the placement of monitoring wells at sites requiring additional study. A case study is used to demonstrate the methodology at an unregulated landfill in eastern Nebraska.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 302233
- Journal Information:
- Ground Water, Vol. 36, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Nov-Dec 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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