Characterization of a Complex Refinery Groundwater Contamination Plume Using Multiple Geoelectric Methods

Author(s):  
Estella A. Atekwana ◽  
William A. Sauck ◽  
Douglas D. Werkema
2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério de Jesus Porciúncula ◽  
Luiz Rogério Bastos Leal

ABSTRACT. A detailed hydrogeophysical survey was conducted using the geoelectrical method in the surroundings of the LIMPEC sanitary landfill, municipality of Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. Twenty-six vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were done, configured according to the Schlumberger electrode array and spaced up to 400 m between current electrodes. Hydrogeological quali-quantitative information was obtained by integrating geoelectrical results to data from wells and local geology information, namely: (i) an apparent resistivity map showed the occurrence of a conductivity anomaly, possibly attributed to the contamination plume, dispersed within the saturated zone, and presenting a SSE convection direction; (ii) one-dimensional inversions allowed to interpret the stratigraphic pattern, identify static level depth and the occurrence of possible contamination plumes, and indicate the direction of groundwater flow, which was also towards SSE; (iii) two-dimensional inversions produced inverted geoelectrical profiles, with a mean error below 2%, and confirmed the occurrence of possible contamination plumes disseminated within the unsaturated zone and dispersed within the saturated one. The geoelectrical facies with the highest resistivity values (> 600 ohm.m) were related to the São Sebastião Formation. Facies with intermediate values (100 to 800 ohm.m) regarded the Marizal Formation. In turn, those with the lowest values (< 100 ohm.m) were related to contamination plumes and/or eventual occurrences of silt/clay; (iv) the parameters of porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and transmissivity were estimated between 19.2 and 34.2%, 0.11 and 3.37 x10-3 cm/s, and 4.7 and 145.6 m²/d, respectively; and (v) local free aquifer vulnerability was classified as high, according to the evaluation using the GOD method.Keywords: geoelectrical method, urban solid waste, hydrodynamic parameters.  Caracterização Hidrogeofísica do Sistema Aquífero Marizal – São Sebastião, no Entorno do Aterro Sanitário Limpec, Camaçari, Bahia, BrasilRESUMO. Um estudo hidrogeofísico de detalhe, utilizando o método geoelétrico, foi conduzido no entorno do aterro sanitário LIMPEC, município de Camaçari, Bahia, Brasil. Vinte e seis sondagens elétricas verticais (SEVs), sob configuração do arranjo Schlumberger de eletrodos, com espaçamento de até 400 m entre os eletrodos de corrente foram executadas. Informações quali-quantitativas de âmbito hidrogeológico foram alcançadas a partir da integração dos resultados geoelétricos a dados de poços e informações da geologia local, a saber: (i) o mapa de resistividade aparente revelou a ocorrência de uma anomalia condutiva, possivelmente atribuída à pluma de contaminação, dispersa na zona saturada, apresentando sentido de convecção na direção SSE; (ii) as inversões unidimensionais possibilitaram interpretar o padrão estratigráfico, identificar a profundidade do nível estático, a ocorrência de possíveis plumas de contaminação e apontar o sentido do fluxo hídrico subterrâneo também para SSE; (iii) as inversões bidimensionais geraram perfis geoelétricos invertidos, com erro médio inferior a 2%, e confirmaram a ocorrência de possíveis plumas de contaminação disseminadas na zona não saturada e dispersas na zona saturada. Os fácies geoelétricos de maiores valores de resitividade (>600 Ohm.m) estão atribuídos à Formação São Sebastião. Os fácies de valores intermediários (100 a 800 Ohm.m), referem-se à Formação Marizal. Já os de menores valores (<100 Ohm.m), a plumas de contaminação e/ou eventuais ocorrências de silte/argila; (iv) os parâmetros porosidade, condutividade hidráulica e transmissividade foram estimados serem entre 19,2 a 34,2%, 0,11 a 3,37 x10-3 cm/s e 4,7 a 145,6 m²/d, respectivamente; e (v) a vulnerabilidade do aquífero livre local foi classificada como alta, segundo avaliação realizada utilizando o método GOD. Palavras-chave: método geoelétrico, resíduos sólidos urbanos, parâmetros hidrodinâmicos.


There are many approaches which have been used to assess the ground water and surface water contamination. The land disposal of municipal waste is potential cause of groundwater contamination unscientifically managed dumping yards are prone to groundwater contamination because of leachate production. The leaching behaviour of a waste can be assessed either by the experimental determination of the characteristics of leachate generated or through mathematical modeling.A pilot study was conducted to assess the characterization of leachate generating using Leachate Generated Model (LGM). In present study the model is used to study the effect of gomutra and enzymes on the municipal solid waste and the leachate quality. The result indicated that the colour of leachate generated in study area was found to be oxygenated and has organic compound which resulted in increased permeability. The results reveal that the use of gomutra (15%) mixed with MSW, was a good indication that organic matters in leachate are readily biodegradable in mature land fill, where as 10% gomutra used in MSW, showed that (BOD / COD = 0.64) leachate had high biodegradability through anaerobic phase. This stimulator showed better result than enzymes used and is also helpful to prevent containing of waste water tube wells and bore holes affected from leachate generated.


2004 ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
M. Lopes ◽  
G. Avillez ◽  
C.N. Costa ◽  
J.A. Almeida

2006 ◽  
Vol 85 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lopes ◽  
G. Avillez ◽  
C.N. Costa ◽  
J.A. Almeida

1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Subbarao ◽  
N. V. Subbarao ◽  
S. N. Chandu

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