Shallow Groundwater Contamination Evaluation At Landfill Sites Using Geophysics, Hydrochemistry And Isotope Hydrology Techniques

• Main Author: Zawawi, Mohd Hafiz
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: TK1-9971 Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/45149/1/Mohd%20Hafiz%20Bin%20Zawawi24.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/45149/
• Institution: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Integrated geophysical, hydrochemistry and isotope hydrology have been used in this research to study the characteristics, origin and migration of contamination at Matang and Beriah landfill. Comparison studies of groundwater contamination for both landfill site categories were conducted for Matang landfill, level 3 (controlled landfill) and Beriah landfill, level 0 (uncontrolled landfill). The Electrical Resistivity Imaging method, supported by soil well logging data shows a subsurface image that provides clear indication of ground contamination zone. Low resistivity values were detected at line 1 in Beriah which is at the south west of the landfill. The resistivity value ranges indicate that the value ranges are from 20 to 50 Ωm (moderately low) at a depth of 10 m and less than 10 Ωm (very low) at a depth of greater than 10 m. Meanwhile, for Matang landfill, a significantly low resistivity value was observed in line 3 with a value <10 Ωm at 100 to 180m distance of the line and at the depth of 0 to 5m. The geophysical results were then compared with hydrochemical analysis of groundwater and surface water. The hydrochemical characteristics such as physical (EC, TDS, pH, and DO), major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4 +,Cl-, HCO3 - and SO4 2-) and heavy metal (Fe, Ni, Cu and Cr) were used to fingerprint the leachate flow and migration. The results show that the high concentration of Cl-, Na+, K+ and HCO3 - in certain boreholes indicate a strong correlation with leachate characteristics.