Application of geoelectrical resistivity method for the assessment of shallow aquifer quality in landfill areas.

Abstract

In this article, a valuable approach utilizing the relationship between select physical water and soil characteristics and geoelectrical resistivity data was used to recognize and trace groundwater contamination by using the geoelectrical resistivity data of a landfill area. It can reduce uncertainty in geoelectrical resistivity interpretation. By interpreting and calibrating the resistivity model with the lithology and physical characters of water samples, it was possible to identify the unique paths of landfill leachate that occurred throughout a shallow aquifer. The water physical property analysis showed that the landfill area was contaminated by a relatively high amount of total of dissolved solids (TDSs). A scatter plot of TDS values and directly measured resistivity showed that resistivity decreased with increasing TDSs. The movement direction of the landfill leachate in the aquifer system was clearly observed in a depth slice of the resistivity distribution. The aquifer is considered to be contaminated starting from the landfill zone and extending to the northeastern part of the study area.