Ground Magnetic, GPR, and Dipole-Dipole Resistivity for Landfill Investigation

Abstract

Ground magnetic, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and dipole-dipole resistivity were carried out to environmentally investigate a landfill. In this context, these geophysical techniques were conducted to identify the subsurface contents of the landfill, furthermore, specify any possible leakage and/or contamination in the study area. The ground-magnetic survey carried out in the study area comprised 31 profiles each 120 m in length. Different wavelength filters were applied to the measured data. Vertical derivative, downward continuation, apparent susceptibility, band-pass, and analytical signal filters separated successfully the shallow sources. Whereas, upward continuation and low-pass Gaussian filters isolated significantly the deep magnetic sources. 3D Euler deconvolution (SI = 3) remarkably estimated the depths of the shallow sources (0 -10 m) of the landfill contents. The conducted GPR and dipole-dipole resistivity allocated tangibly the locations and depths of the near surface anomalies. Both techniques didn't reveal any possible leakage and/or contamination. Noteworthy, integration among magnetic, GPR, and dipole-dipole resistivity confirmed positively the results of each method. Nevertheless, some anomalies were recognized successfully by one technique and not by the others.Wastes generated from human activities range from simple substance such as food and paper wastes, toxic materials to high level radioactive wastes in the form of nuclear fuel. Hazardous and non-hazardous materials are handled differently in many countries but generally hazardous wastes are thought to be a combination of wastes that affect human health or the environment due to its quantity, concentration, and/or its physical and chemical characteristics when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed. Certain criteria should be taken in consideration when choosing landfill sites especially the location and size. Other important criteria should be taken in consideration such as: economic, social, environmental, geological, and geomorphologic. Economic and social criteria comprise distance and capacity of the landfill, distance from airports, distance from highways, etc. Environmental criteria include water content, water potential, humidity, ground water flow gradient, permeability, etc. Geological/geomorphologic criteria comprise lithology, depth to the bedrock, structure, etc. In this context, ground magnetic, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and dipole-dipole resistivity profiling were conducted in the study area to characterize the contents of the landfill, moreover, specify any possible leakage and/or contamination (Figure 1). In 2005, reference [1] carried out VLF-EM method, Wenner, and dipole-dipole 2-D resistivity models around a landfill to detect leachate flow and to map its spatial distribution. In 2007, reference [2] used 2D electrical resistance tomography (ERT), electromagnetic measurements using very low frequencies (VLF), electromagnetic conductivity (EM31), seismic refraction measurements (SR), and ambient noise...

Construction waste landfill volume estimation using ground penetrating radar

“…In addition, Yochim et al (2013) demonstrated the superiority of borehole GPR technology to estimate the water content in a landfill. Khalil and Hassan (2016) also used the GPR technology to identify landfills and assess leakage and pollution. Furthermore, Kondracka et al (2021) compared the advantages and disadvantages of four geophysical methods in landfill characterisation and found that GPR easily detects buried metallic and non-metallic pipelines and building foundations.…”