DC geoelectrical methods applied to landfill investigation: case studies from Greece

Abstract

P. Tsourlos, G.N. Vargemezis, I. Fikos1 and G.N. Tsokas present four case studies of geoelectrical methods to investigate different types of landfills in Greece. There is a growing demand for monitoring both operating and rehabilitated municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. In this framework, geophysical investigation and particularly geoelectrical techniques are considered as a valuable tool in environmental management. The DC geoelectrical methods are probably the most popular geophysical techniques applied to landfill investigations (Meju, 2000). The conductive signature of the leachate renders geoelectrical methods ideal for the investigation of active or decommissioned landfills with respect to mapping their structure (i.e., shape, size) as well as for locating potential leakage and migration of leachate into the deeper geological layers. A large number of relevant studies can be found in literature, among others: Cartwright and McComas, 1968; Klefstad et al., 1995; Barker, 1990; Carpenter et al., 1991; Binley et al., 1997; Stanton and Schrader 2001; Karlik and Kaya, 2001; Porsani et al., 2004.