Geoelectrical and ground-penetrating radar investigations at a waste disposal site and its environment

C. POMPOSIELLO A. FAVETTO, P.BOUJON, C. DAPEÑA

El Vendrell España

Workshop; 18th International Workshop on Electromagnetic Induction; 2006

Several geoelectric studies, horizontal profiling and vertical sounding using dipole-dipole and Schlumberger electrode configurations respectively and GPR profiles (antennas 150 -500 MHz) were performed within and outside an urban solid waste in the Entre R´ýos Province, Argentina. The 2D model obtained within the landfill shows a shallow layer with a thickness of 2 - 3 m and a resistivity range from 100 to 1000 ohm-m. The second layer is about 4 – 5 m thick and presents low values of resistivity between 3 and 6 ohm-m, which are indicating a contaminated zone that is located below the water table. The third layer has a thickness of more than 10 m and a resistivity of around 15 Ohm-m. The 2D modeles obtained outside the landfill boundaries also show zones with low resistivity produced by leachate plumes. The GPR profiles have identified the upper limit of the contaminant plume by the absence of reflectors or very weak signals. In such zone the 2D resistivity model shows the presence of high electrical conductivity materials, which do not allow propagation of the radar waves deeper. In addition, from electric conductivity values of the most conductive sections were predicted leachate geochemical parameters applying empiric relations.