Geophysical characterization of the Sinking Creek Landfill in Montgomery County, Virginia

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6825809

Sayer, S; Phinney, E J; Robinson, E S ^[1]

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1. Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States). Dept. of Geological Sciences

The five acre Sinking Creek Landfill in Montgomery County, Virginia was used for general disposal purposes until 1974 when it was closed, covered, and planted to white pine. In 1992--93 a geophysical survey was carried out to measure thickness of the debris layer, to characterize its buried contents, and to identify possible concentrations of leachate. Thicknesses mostly between 5 m and 7 m were measured along five seismic refraction lines. In the debris layer P-wave velocity is locally variable in the 300 m/s to 1,000 m/s range, contrasted to the 1,600 m/s to 2,800 m/s range in the underlying weathered zone and bedrock. Total magnetic field intensity measurements at 1,749 points reveal local magnetic anomalies within a 4,000 nT range, which indicate locations of Fe-metallic debris. Electrical resistivity was measured at three locations by expanding Wenner configurations, and along six profiles by a roll-along offset wenner sound method. In the vadose zone of the debris layer resistivity ranges between 100 ohm-m and 400 ohm-m, and from less than 5 ohm-m to 50 ohm-m in the saturated zone. In the underlying rock the resistivity is between 70 ohm-m and 600 ohm-m. There is no compelling evidence to suggest that leachate has migrated to any great depth beneath the debris layer. Gravity observations at 57 points reveal anomalies mostly smaller than 0.2 mgal, which appear to result from density contrasts within the debris layer. Gravity variations and P-wave travel time residuals along seismic refraction lines will be examined in the effort to distinguish different zones within the debris layer.

• OSTI ID: 6825809
• Report Number(s): CONF-9404221--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 26:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
DATA ANALYSIS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SURVEYS
USA
VIRGINIA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT