Abstract
Electrical resistivity tomography survey was deployed at a solid waste landfill in southwest Missouri USA with the intent to map variations in moisture content through the solid waste and underlying subsurface, and to map the top of bedrock. Multichannel analyses of surface waves survey was also deployed to map variations in engineering properties of the solid waste and underlying subsurface, and to constrain the interpretations of top of bedrock. The 2-D resistivity images through the waste suggest rainwater seeps through the cap cover system of the solid waste landfill, and moisture content within the solid waste increases with solid waste burial depth. The resistivity anomalies displayed by the soil and bedrock directly underneath the solid waste suggests a lateral component to moisture infiltrating at the toe of the landfill, which is flowing inward to the base of solid waste structural low. The 1-D shear wave velocity profiles obtained from the multichannel analyses of surface waves survey helped interpret the top of bedrock underneath the solid waste, where top of bedrock is difficult to map using electrical resistivity tomography, as shallow fractured bedrock is moist and displays comparable resistivity values to that of overlying soil. Not surprisingly, the top of bedrock is readily identified on the electrical resistivity tomography profiles in places where subsurface is relatively dry. The deployment of the combined non- invasive, cost and time effective geophysical surveys, along with engineering judgement on available site history data, has reasonably identified potential landfill seepage pathways. The methodology presented could be used in similar site investigation settings.
Highlights
Many argue that without strict regulations to enforce the safe containment of solid waste in landfills, waste materials that contain hazardous elements could potentially cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment by contact
The 1-D shear wave velocity profiles obtained from the multichannel analyses of surface waves survey helped interpret the top of bedrock underneath the solid waste, where top of bedrock is difficult to map using electrical resistivity tomography, as shallow fractured bedrock is moist and displays comparable resistivity values to that of overlying soil
To better interpret the top of bedrock, Multichannel analyses of surface waves (MASW) data was acquired at the 507 ft (155 m) mark on the Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) traverse to constrain the interpretation of top of bedrock at this location, and the top of bedrock obtained from shear wave velocity profile is superposed on the ERT profile AB
Summary
Many argue that without strict regulations to enforce the safe containment of solid waste in landfills, waste materials that contain hazardous elements could potentially cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment by contact. Traditional borehole logging aid engineers in understanding the subsurface material distribution by providing actual information of the subsurface, it generally requires extensive time, labor, and cost to thoroughly investigate large areas of land. The intent of the study is to map the variations in moisture content and engineering properties of the solid waste, soil, and rock, and to map the top of bedrock. Utilizing both ERT and MASW geophysical techniques provides reliable results by analyzing correlations between ERT data and MASW data. The combined output from ERT and MASW are quality 1-D, 2-D models of the subsurface, where the bedrock depth, soil thickness, moist content variations, possible seepage pathways, and karst features could be identified
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
