Geophysical-geochemical investigation of fire-prone landfills

Abstract

This paper deals with the integration of electrical resistivity tomography and geochemical methods for studying four different fire-prone landfills. Landfill gas composition (CH4, H2S, O2, CO, CO2) and subsurface temperature were measured with the constant net 50 × 50 m from the depth 10–60 cm. 28 electrical resistivity tomography lines were surveyed, while Wenner and Sclumberger electrode arrays were employed for all measurements. At the studied sites the landfill gas and temperature measurements mapped gas and temperature anomalies over underground fire sources. 2D electrical resistivity tomography lines, performed over these anomalies, showed these fire sources as high-resistivity zones. The joint employment of the electrical imaging and geochemical survey seems to be a useful tool in carrying out diagnostic investigations at fire-prone landfills.