Modeling Landfill Suitability Based on GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis: Case Study in Al-Mahaweelqadaa

Mohammad Ali Alanbari,Nadhir Al-Ansari,Hadeel Kareem Jasim,Sven Knutsson

doi:10.4236/ns.2014.611081

Abstract

Waste management system is not regulated in Iraq. At present, there are various techniques used for solid waste management such as landfill, thermal treatment, biological treatment, recycling etc. Landfill is the most common mode for the disposal of solid waste. However, landfill site selection is a quite complex process and it depends on several criteria and regulations. In this study landfill site selection is performed for Al-Mahaweelqadaa using Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographic Information System (GIS). It should be mentioned however, that the existing land- fill in this area, is temporary and does not fulfill the environmental conditions. To select suitable landfill site, several criteria were considered such as Urban centers, Land use, Airports, Pipes, Power lines, Railways, Roads, slope, streams, Surface water, Industrial areas, Oil pipes, Liquid gas pipes, Soil types which are prepared. (MCDA) was used to evaluate the relative importance of each criterion. Each map layers were formed with the aid of GIS and final suitability map was created by overlay analyses of each criterion map. According to obtained results, high and low suitable areas were determined in the study area. Field and office checks were performed out to determine the accuracy and suitability of the candidate sites.

Highlights

Introduction and Research ObjectiveWaste was an early problem for mankind and the environment
The objective of this study is to suggest sites for appropriate landfills within Al-Mahaweelqadaa in Babylon governorate using the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
14 input digital map layers (Urban centers, Land use, Airports, Pipes, Power lines, Railways, Roads, slope, streams, Surface water, Industrial areas, Oil pipes, Liquid gas pipes, Soil types) were prepared and multi criteria analysis was implemented with geographic information system

Summary

Introduction and Research Objective

Waste was an early problem for mankind and the environment. This problem is growing with time and it is of. The required landfill area to cover generated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) volume for at least five years was calculated Using these approaches will lead to integrated environmental management, which is necessary to allow consideration of all components and processes in the environment; their spatial, temporal, and human dimensions; their interaction and correlation, coupled with social, economic, political, and legal impacts. For this purpose, 14 input digital map layers (Urban centers, Land use, Airports, Pipes, Power lines, Railways, Roads, slope, streams, Surface water, Industrial areas, Oil pipes, Liquid gas pipes, Soil types) were prepared and multi criteria analysis was implemented with geographic information system. The digital maps are prepared according to environmental criteria of landfill sites selection stated by World Bank and published researches

Study Area

Methodology

Findings

Conclusions