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Pilot-scale field model tests for detecting landfill leachate intrusion into the subsurface using a grid-net electrical conductivity measurement system

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The grid-net electrical conductivity measurement system for detecting exact locations of landfill leachate intrusion in the subsurface was developed in this study. Laboratory and pilot-scale field model tests were performed to evaluate the direct application of a grid-net electrical conductivity measurement system for the detection of landfill leachate. A significant increase in electrical conductivity of soil was observed by adding landfill leachate. This can be explained as an increase in electrical conductivity of pore fluid due to an increase in leachate constituents as charge carriers. In pilot-scale field model tests, leachate intrusion locations were accurately identified at the initial stage of landfill leachate release by the grid-net electrical conductivity measurement system. The electrical conductivity of the subsurface before leachate injection lay within a small range of 24.8–43.0 μS/cm. The electrical conductivity values in detected points were approximately ten times more than the conductivity values of the subsurface without landfill leachate intrusion. The results in this study indicate that the grid-net electrical conductivity measurement method has a possible application for detecting locations of landfill leachate intrusion into the subsurface at the initial stage, and thus has great potential in monitoring leachate leakage at waste landfills.

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Acknowledgement

This study was funded by the Korea Institute of Construction Technology and Ministry of Science & Technology, Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil, Urban & Geosystem Engineering, Seoul National University, Shinlim-dong, Gwanak-gu, 151–742, Seoul , Korea

    Myoung Hak Oh & Junboum Park

  2. Geotechnical Engineering Research Group, Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT), Daehwa-dong, Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, 411–712, Gyeonggi-do , Korea

    Ju Hyung Lee

  3. Coastal and Harbour Engineering Research Laboratory, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Sa-dong, Ansan-si, 425–744, Gyeonggi-do , Korea

    Gil Lim Yoon

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  1. Myoung Hak Oh
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  2. Ju Hyung Lee
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  3. Gil Lim Yoon
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  4. Junboum Park
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Correspondence to Junboum Park.

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Oh, M.H., Lee, J.H., Yoon, G.L. et al. Pilot-scale field model tests for detecting landfill leachate intrusion into the subsurface using a grid-net electrical conductivity measurement system. Env Geol 45, 181–189 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0880-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0880-4

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