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Characterization of active and closed landfill sites using 2D resistivity/IP imaging: case studies in Penang, Malaysia

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Abstract

An interpretation approach for analysis of electrical resistivity and chargeability inverse models generated at two upgraded semi-aerobic landfill sites was developed. The inverse models produced from a 2D inversion program (RES2DINV) were used to set up a grid of electrical resistivity and chargeability imaging at the landfill sites. The investigations confirmed a high chargeability unit (>70 ms) depicting waste deposits and a saturated clayey layer, while the leachate plume showed low resistivity (<10 Ωm) and weak chargeability zone (<20 ms). Moreover, the IP responses of a diffused leachate plume downstream of a separate semi-aerobic landfill site in a similar geological setting were evaluated, obtaining an analogous result. The ion-dominated plume that exhibited a weak chargeability promoted membrane polarization rather than electrode polarization in its IP responses. However, the high concentration of ions in the diffused leachate restrained the ionic polarization, diminishing the IP effects in host sediments. The interpretation of the resistivity and chargeability profiles at the characterization sites allowed delineating the different zones of the subsurface strata. In particular, comparison of the leachate zones at the two locations revealed that the active landfill with a lesser proportion of waste deposits contained a greater accumulation of leachate than the closed site. The results in this study support the effectiveness of contaminant plume monitoring through the joint application of resistivity and IP methods. These non-invasive, rapid and cost-effective, geophysical techniques could lead to a promising reconnaissance tool for remediation or reclamation of solid waste disposal sites.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Idaman Bersih Sendirian Berhad and Majlis Daerah Kerian Bangai Sarai for granting permission for use of the landfills selected for characterization and the leachate assessment site, respectively. This work was funded by an Incentive Grant from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (Graduate Student Account Number 1001/PFIZIK/821060). The authors are grateful to Dr. Hassan Baioumy for his comments during data interpretation. The constructive criticism from the anonymous reviewers which improved the quality of this manuscript is greatly acknowledged. The field support from Mydin Bin Jamal, Low Weng Leng and other members of the technical staff of the Geophysics Programme, Universiti Sains Malaysia, is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geophysics Unit, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Mohd Nawawi, Rosli Saad, Amin Esmail Khalil & Kehinde Saheed Ishola

  2. Environmental Science Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Asad Siraj Abu-Rizaiza

  3. School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Penang, Malaysia

    Mohd Suffian Yusoff

  4. Department of Physics, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

    Abdullahi Abdulrahman

  5. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt

    Amin Esmail Khalil

  6. Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria

    Kehinde Saheed Ishola

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  1. Abdullahi Abdulrahman
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  2. Mohd Nawawi
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Correspondence to Abdullahi Abdulrahman.

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Abdulrahman, A., Nawawi, M., Saad, R. et al. Characterization of active and closed landfill sites using 2D resistivity/IP imaging: case studies in Penang, Malaysia. Environ Earth Sci 75, 347 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5003-5

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