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Induced polarization, resistivity, and self-potential: a case history of contamination evaluation due to landfill leakage

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Abstract

This article compares the efficiency of induced polarization (IP) and resistivity in characterizing a contamination plume due to landfill leakage in a typical tropical environment. The resistivity survey revealed denser electrical current flow that induced lower resistivity values due to the high ionic content. The increased ionic concentration diminished the distance of the ionic charges close to the membrane, causing a decrease in the IP phenomena. In addition, the self-potential (SP) method was used to characterize the preferential flow direction of the area. The SP method proved to be effective at determining the flow direction; it is also fast and economical. In this study, the resistivity results were better correlated with the presence of contamination (lower resistivity) than the IP (lower chargeability) data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Rua Do Lago, 562, São Paulo, SP, 05508-080, Brazil

    José Domingos Faraco Gallas & Fabio Taioli

  2. Institute of Geosciences and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, Campus Bela Vista, PO Box 178, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil

    Walter Malagutti Filho

Authors
  1. José Domingos Faraco Gallas
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  2. Fabio Taioli
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  3. Walter Malagutti Filho
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Correspondence to José Domingos Faraco Gallas.

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Gallas, J.D.F., Taioli, F. & Malagutti Filho, W. Induced polarization, resistivity, and self-potential: a case history of contamination evaluation due to landfill leakage. Environ Earth Sci 63, 251–261 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0696-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0696-y

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