Municipal Solid Waste Site Study

Solid waste in developing countries is generally disposed of in uncontrolled open dumps. This solid waste sites can be sources of groundwater contamination.  

The environmental consequences of such inadequate disposal sites are often obvious, yet necessary improvements are rarely taken seriously.

In tropical country like Malaysia which is characterized by high rainfall, the subsurface contamination problems are expected to occur. 

These areas are vulnerable to ground and surface water pollution. Seriousness of the pollution problem is unknown until specific detailed study is generally done.

The main environmental problem of waste dumping sites is the potential risk of groundwater pollution and subsequent influence on surface water quality. 

Waste disposal sites can affect local wells or tube wells used for domestic or industrial water supply.

Which Geophysical Method?

Electrical resistivity imaging is a good method to map the extension of closed old landfills, reveal potential pollution plumes and provide a basis for where to place other actions accurately. 

This technique is non-invasive and can be deployed rapidly and cost effective. Electrical resistivity imaging or resistivity survey has the ability to remotely locate significant contamination to determine its distribution and to monitor any change over time.

How These Geophysical Techniques Could Help?

Resistivity data can be used to identify, delineate and map subsurface features such as electrically conductive contamination plumes, the vadose zone and electrically conductive lithologic units. Leachate plumes will appear as electrically conductive anomaly in resistivity pseudo section.

Meanwhile, non – degradable waste will appear as high resistivity values in resistivity results. These contrasts could help in interpretation and mapped the possible movement of the leachate plumes.