2D and 3D resistivity inversion at a large urban solid waste in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

C. POMPOSIELLO A. FAVETTO AND C. DAPEÑA

El Vendrell España

Workshop; 18th International Workshop on Electromagnetic Induction; 2006

This paper presents the preliminary geophysical results of a multidisciplinary project at an urban solid waste in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Multielectrode resistivity data were acquired inside the landfill areas along parallel survey lines. 2D and 3D inversion of data show sectors with large resistivity contrast within the wastes. The conductive anomalous zones were interpreted as accumulation of leachate because the electrical conductivity of landfill leachate is often so much higher than that of the natural groundwater. These bodies of leachate present low values of resistivity between 2 and 5 ohm-m and are located discontinuous bellow 5 m depth. The predicted electrical conductivity of leachate is around 2570 mS/m and this value is of the same order of specific conductivity measured in leachate samples (3000 mS/m). The large amount of leachate observed is mainly function of low gradient of the landfill area, the meteorological and hydrogeological factors and the effectiveness of the capping. These results are a useful contribution to check environmental impacts caused by the solid waste disposal in this area.