Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Case study: a 3D resistivity and induced polarization imaging from downstream a waste disposal site in Brazil

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A contaminated site from a downstream municipal solid waste disposal site in Brazil was investigated by using a 3D resistivity and induced polarization (IP) imaging technique. This investigation purpose was to detect and delineate contamination plume produced by wastes. The area was selected based on previous geophysical investigations, and chemical analyses carried out in the site, indicating the presence of a contamination plume in the area. Resistivity model has successfully imaged waste presence (ρ < 20 Ωm), water table depth, and groundwater flow direction. A conductive anomaly (ρ < 20 Ωm) outside wastes placement was interpreted as a contamination plume. Chargeability model was also able to imaging waste presence (m > 31 mV/V), water table depth, and groundwater flow direction. A higher chargeability zone (m > 31 mV/V) outside wastes placement and following conductive anomaly was interpreted as a contamination plume. Normalized chargeability (MN = m/ρ) confirmed polarizable zone, which could be an effect of a salinity increase (contamination plume), and the clay presence in the environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel Aal GZ, Slater LD, Atekwana EA (2006) Induced-polarization measurements on unconsolidated sediments from a site of active hydrocarbon biodegradation. Geophysics 71(2):H13–H24. doi:10.1190/1.2187760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Zeid N, Bianchini G, Santarato G, Vaccaro C (2003) Geochemical characterization and geophysical mapping of landfill leachates: the Marozzo canal case study (NE Italy). Environ Geol 45(4):439–447. doi:10.1007/s00254-003-0895-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adepelumi AA, Ako BD, Ajayi TR, Afolabi O, Omotoso EJ (2008) Delineation of saltwater intrusion into the freshwater aquifer of Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Nigeria. Environ Geol 56(5):927–933. doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1194-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aristodemou E, Thomas-Betts A (2000) DC resistivity and induced polarisation investigations at a waste disposal site and its environments. J Appl Geophys 44(2–3):275–302. doi:10.1016/S0926-9851(99)00022-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atekwana EA, Sauck WA, Werkema DD Jr (2000) Investigations of geoelectrical signatures at a hydrocarbon contaminated site. J Appl Geophys 44(2–3):167–180. doi:10.1016/S0926-9851(98)00033-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atekwana EA, Werkema DD Jr, Duris JW, Rossbach S, Atekwana EA, Sauck WA, Cassidy DP, Means J, Legall FD (2004) In situ apparent conductivity measurements and microbial population distribution at a hydrocarbon-contaminated site. Geophysics 69(1):56–63. doi:10.1190/1.1649375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bentley LR, Gharibi M (2004) Two- and three-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging at a heterogeneous remediation site. Geophysics 69(3):674–680. doi:10.1190/1.1759453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstone C, Dahlin T, Ohlsson T, Hogland W (2000) DC-resistivity mapping of internal landfill structures: two pre-excavation surveys. Environ Geol 39(3–4):360–371. doi:10.1007/s002540050015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers JE, Ogilvy RD, Kuras O, Cripps JC, Meldrum PI (2002) 3D electrical imaging of known targets at a controlled environmental test site. Environ Geol 41(6):690–704. doi:10.1007/s00254-001-0452-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental-CETESB (2004) Relatório de Qualidade das Águas Subterrâneas no Estado de São Paulo. http://www.cetesb.sp.gov.br/Solo/publicações-e-relatórios/1-Publicações-/-Relatórios. Accessed 09 August 2011

  • CONAMA (2008) Ministério do Meio Ambiente. Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente. Resolução No 396, de 03 de abril de 2008. http://www.cetesb.sp.gov.br/Solo/agua_sub/arquivos/res39608.pdf. Accessed 29 November 2010

  • Dahlin T, Bernstone C, Loke MH (2002) A 3-D resistivity investigation of a contaminated site at Lernacken, Sweden. Geophysics 67(6):1692–1700. doi:10.1190/1.1527070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elis VR, Lago AL, Ustra AT, Mondelli G, Giacheti HL (2007) Utilização de mapas de resistividade e cargabilidade para posicionamento de sistema de monitoramento geoambiental. In: Proc. of the 10th Int. Congr. Braz. Geophys. Soc. (CISBGf 2007). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Fox RC, Hohmann GW, Killpack TJ, Rijo L (1980) Topographic effects in resistivity and induced-polarization surveys. Geophysics 45(1):75–93. doi:10.1190/1.1441041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frohlich RK, Barosh PJ, Boving T (2008) Investigating changes of electrical characteristics of the saturated zone affected by hazardous organic waste. J Appl Geophys 64(1–2):25–36. doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2007.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geotomo Software (2010) RES3DINV. Rapid 3D Resistivity & IP inversion using the least-squares method. http://www.geoelectrical.com/downloads.php. Accessed 29 November 2010

  • Griffiths DH, Barker RD, Finch JW (1981) Recent Applications of electrical resistivity and induced polarization methods to hydrogeological problems. In: A Survey of British Hydrogeology 1980. The Royal Society, London, pp 85–96

  • Kemna A, Binley A, Slater L (2004) Crosshole IP imaging for engineering and environmental applications. Geophysics 69(1):97–107. doi:10.1190/1.1649379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lago AL (2004) Aplicacao integrada de metodos geofısicos em area de disposicao de resıduos solidos urbanos em Bauru-SP. Dissertation, University of Sao Paulo

  • Loke MH (2010) Tutorial: 2-D and 3-D electrical imaging surveys. http://www.geoelectrical.com/downloads.php. Accessed 29 November 2010

  • Martinho E, Almeida F (2006) 3D behaviour of contamination in landfill sites using 2D resistivity/IP imaging: case studies in Portugal. Environ Geol 49(7):1071–1078. doi:10.1007/s00254-005-0151-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinho E, Almeida F, Matias MJS (2006) An experimental study of organic pollutant effects on tome domain induced polarization measurements. J Appl Geophys 60(1):27–40. doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2005.11.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mondelli G (2008) Integração de diferentes técnicas de investigação para avaliação da poluição e contaminação de uma área de disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos. PhD Thesis, University of São Paulo

  • Mondelli G, Giacheti HL, Boscov MEG, Elis VR, Hamada J (2007) Geoenvironmental site investigation using different techniques in a municipal solid waste disposal site in Brazil. Environ Geol 52(5):871–887. doi:10.1007/s00254-006-0529-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slater LD, Lesmes D (2002) IP interpretation in environmental investigations. Geophysics 67(1):77–88. doi:10.1190/1.1451353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slater LD, Sandberg SK (2000) Resistivity and induced polarization monitoring of salt transport under natural hydraulic gradients. Geophysics 65(2):408–420. doi:10.1190/1.1444735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sogade JA, Scira-Scappuzzo F, Vichabian Y, Shi W, Rodi W, Lesmes DP, Morgan FD (2006) Induced-polarization detection and mapping of contaminant plumes. Geophysics 71(3):B75–B84. doi:10.1190/1.2196873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viezzoli A, Cull JP (2005) Electrical methods for detection and discrimination of saline groundwater in clay-rich sediments in northern Victoria. Exploration Geophys 31:294–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Grateful acknowledgment is made to CAPES—Cordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Graduate Personnel Perfection Coordination) and FAPESP—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de São Paulo (São Paulo State Research Foundation) for founding this research. Authors are thankful to Department of Geotechnical Engineering—Universidade de São Paulo, and to Bauru’s Engineering School—Universidade Estadual Paulista, for lending equipment, and helping with fieldwork costs. Authors would also like to thank EMDURB—Empresa Municipal de Desenvolvimento Urbano e Rural de Bauru (Bauru Municipal Urban and Rural Development Company) to allowing this research at that site.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, Secretaria de Geofísica. Rua do Matão, 1226, São Paulo, SP, 05508090, Brazil

    Andréa Teixeira Ustra & Vagner Roberto Elis

  2. Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, Centro de Tecnologias Ambientais e Energéticas - CETAE, Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 532, São Paulo, SP, 05508-901, Brazil

    Giulliana Mondelli

  3. Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13566590, Brazil

    Lázaro Valentin Zuquette

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Av. Dr. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube s/n, Bauru, SP, 17033360, Brazil

    Heraldo Luiz Giacheti

Authors
  1. Andréa Teixeira Ustra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vagner Roberto Elis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giulliana Mondelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lázaro Valentin Zuquette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Heraldo Luiz Giacheti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andréa Teixeira Ustra.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ustra, A.T., Elis, V.R., Mondelli, G. et al. Case study: a 3D resistivity and induced polarization imaging from downstream a waste disposal site in Brazil. Environ Earth Sci 66, 763–772 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1284-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1284-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation