Application of Electrical Resistivity Survey For Contaminant Evaluation at Uncontrolled Landfills

To evaluate geology and extent of leachate migration around the landfills, electrical resistivity survey were conducted in area of uncontrolled landfills in Cheonan and Wonju. The Cheonan landfill is located above the paddy fields and the resistivity survey lines were crossed to confirm possible pollution of the paddy fields by leakage of the landfill leachate. In Wonju, the landfill and the downgradient paddy fields are divided by a concrete barrier wall. At the bottom of the landfill, there is a leachate settlement system but has not been in operation. And a total of 4 survey line installed (1 parallel and 3 perpendicular to mean groundwater flow direction). According to the resistivity survey results, the landfill leachate in Cheonan appeared to be restricted only within the interior of the landfill, not to migrate into the subsurface of the paddy fields. These results are well consistent with electrical conductivity values of groundwaters obtained from a periodic analysis of water qualities. In Wonju, however, it was inferred that the leachate emanating from the landfill migrated beneath the abandoned leachate settlement system and it would reach the downgradient paddy field.