Supporting landfill development through geophysical surveys

Abstract

Landfill operators require rapid site characterisations in order to optimise economics and meet environmental regulation during both site monitoring and expansion. Geophysical surveys are increasingly filling this need, with geoelectrical and seismic methods among the most commonly demanded methods. This paper presents and discusses two cases in which geophysical methods were applied to map the subsurface in landfills and their surroundings. The applications aimed to facilitate further expansions of the landfills while complying with environmental regulations. Both electrical resistivity and seismic refraction surveys were used. The results led to the identification of sand-filled fractures and thinning clay lenses and allowed further definition of the depth to limiting geological units. These applications of geophysical methods demonstrate a dynamic and cost-efficient methodology to assist in the planning and managing of active landfills.