International Journal of Geophysics

Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 879530, 6 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/879530

Research Article

2D Electrical Imaging Surveys for Leachate Plume Migration at an Old Dump Site in Ibadan South Western Nigeria: A Case Study

Dare Omolayo¹ and Fatoba Julius Tope²

¹Dasamol Georesource Company, Lagos, Nigeria

²Department of Earth Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria

Received 14 October 2013; Revised 10 February 2014; Accepted 12 February 2014; Published 26 March 2014

Academic Editor: Robert Tenzer

Copyright © 2014 Dare Omolayo and Fatoba Julius Tope. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The site surveyed is along a popular ring road in Ibadan. It is an old dump site which had been closed over a long period of time. Development into industrial and residential house schemes had crowded around the site. This development resulted in the exploitation of groundwater within the thick regolith that characterize the area. The investigation was carried out to ascertain leachate plume generation and migration and its impact on the surrounding soil and the groundwater. 2D electrical resistivity imaging using Wenner array was used to delineate the plume and probable trend of migration. The method involves the injection of low frequency DC current into the subsurface and measuring the potential difference set up by another pair of electrodes called potential electrodes. All the traverses show areas of very low resistivity values ranging between 4 ohm-m and 13.8 ohm-m; in addition to this, the water samples collected from hand dug wells that surround the dump site show high total dissolved solids (TDS) with an average value of 2033 mg/L, high conductivity with an average value of 2868 mg/L, and high nitrate value (63 mg/L); these values are above the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible values. This poses a health challenge to the residents living around this site.

1. Introduction

Closed dumpsites and landfills dotted some urban cities in Nigeria and had been posing challenges to groundwater purity in the country [1, 2]. The rural urban migration as a result of economic activities had caused these urban cities to keep increasing in population with attendant increase in generation of wastes. Further expansion had forced some of these dumpsites to be abandoned and, in most cases, they are not properly closed and contained using geomembranes. These wastes may contain toxic substances and as they are decomposed or biodegraded, with the presence of infiltrating water, organic liquid effluents known as leachate can be produced and pollute groundwater with time as they migrate. According to Rosqvist et al. [3], the pollutant load to the environment from a landfill or dumpsite is dependent on the quantity and the quality of the water that percolates through the landfill and reaches the surroundings. Ibadan lies within the tropics where rainfall is abundant (annual average rainfall is 1280 mm according to Olaniran [4]); therefore, we expect the contaminant load to be high for this area. Leachate plumes normally have low resistivity values because of high ion concentration [3]; this property makes the electrical resistivity method very suitable to map leachate plumes and it has been deployed in many parts of the world [1, 5–8]. It has the ability to delineate areas of leachate generation, migration, and the area extent. The area is as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: The sketch map of the area investigated (not to scale).

1.1. Physiography, Climate, and Geologic Setting

The area investigated is undulating and slopes towards the east and north that ends up in a valley created by Oluyole River and this actually influence the groundwater flow paths, which we believe determines the migration path of the leachate which is also towards the east and north. Ibadan lies within the Basement Complex Rocks of southwestern Nigeria; the dominant rock types in the area are the quartzite and the quartz schist. The weathering product is mostly clay as seen from the dugouts. Figure 2 is an adapted geological map of part of Ibadan showing the investigated area. Ibadan lies within the tropics; it has two main seasons: the dry and the wet season. Most rainfall (wet season) is seen between April and October, while the dry periods are from December to March. The annual average rainfall is 1280 mm [4].

Figure 2: Geological map of Ibadan showing the study area (adapted from [12]).

2. Methodology

Geoelectrical resistivity survey is a common tool used for geotechnical and environmental surveys [9]. The electrical resistivity method is based on measurements of the potential distribution using two potential electrodes arising when electric current is transmitted into earth materials through two current electrodes. There is always a resistivity contrast between leachate plumes and the surrounding rocks according to [10]. Leachate plumes from municipal dumpsite are generally associated with high ion concentrations and, hence, low resistivity values. This makes geoelectric imaging relevant in the mapping of leachate plumes, its concentration, and migration.

The leachate plume contamination of the groundwater aquifer system and soil at the site investigated was delineated using 2D resistivity imaging methods and we try to constraint this method by carrying out a 1D resistivity investigation in the area using the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique. This enables us to know the resistivity distribution with depth in the area.

The equipment used is the MiniRes resistivity meter and the electrode configuration adopted is Schlumberger array for the 1D survey while the Wenner-α linear array was used for the 2D investigation. The VES data was acquired in the area away from the dumpsite so that there will be no influence from the leachate on the resistivity values. On the other hand, four (4) parallel profiles (1–4) were ran with inter profile spacing of 50 m from the beginning of the landfill towards the north for the 2D data (Figure 1). Measurements were made at sequences of increasing offset distance (a-spacing) along the profile lines ranging from 2 m to 30 m. The electrodes were moved from one end of the line to the other in a lip frog manner to achieve continuous horizontal resolution of the subsurface.

Finally, a record of the variation of the apparent resistivity of the subsurface with depth for each test line was obtained. This investigation was carried out during the dry season by which time the water table was at its deepest level and its influence reduced.

2.1. Data Processing and Presentation of Results

The 1D data was interpreted quantitatively using the partial curve matching method [11] followed by computer iteration using WinResist software package.

The measured 2D resistivity imaging data were processed using the DIPPRO inversion software. This program automatically subdivide the subsurface into a number of blocks and then uses a least-squares inversion scheme to determine the appropriate resistivity values for each block so that the calculated apparent resistivity values agree with the measured apparent resistivity values from the field survey. In anticipation of high resistivity contrast between the leachate plume and the surrounding rocks and soils, a low number of iterations were used; this, according to Olayinka and Yaramanci [12], will reduce the number of misfit between the inverted model and the geologic model. The results are displayed as inverted model resistivity sections versus depth of the subsurface along the four profiles (Figures 4(a)–4(d)). The pseudo sections, consistently, show similar structures with variation on the detail level with depth and were visually inspected to delineate areas of anomalously low resistivity relating to leachate plume formation and migration; these zones were tagged high impact zones.

3. Results and Discussion

The typical result of 1D resistivity survey is as shown in Figure 3. They are QH type curves.

Figure 3: A typical 1D Schlumberger depth sounding curve gotten from the waste dump site, Ibadan.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 4: (a) The 2D imaging along profile 1. (b) The 2D imaging along profile 2. (c) The 2D imaging along profile 3. (d) The 2D imaging along profile 4.

The point sounded is underlain by six layers; Table 1 shows the resistivity value and the corresponding lithology.

Table 1

Layer number
Resistivity
Depth to base
Lithology

1
90.4 -m
1.0 m
Clay

2
36.6 -m
1.8 m
Clay

3
66.4 -m
3.0 m
Clay

4
18.4 -m
1.6 m
Clayey

weathered basement

5
23.5 -m
19.3 m
Clayey

weathered basement

6
112.5 -m
—
Fractured/partially

weathered basement

Table 1 shows that the area is underlain majorly by clay materials.

The result from the 2D resistivity survey is divided into profiles.

Profile 1. This is at the southern edge of the dumpsite and runs in an east-west direction (Figure 4(a)). Three zones were delineated beneath this profile.

Zone 1 is a very low resistivity zone (blue colour) with resistivity value ranging from 5.5 Ω-m to 11 Ω-m. This zone is interpreted to be the dumped waste and the generated leachate plume cum the impacted soil. It starts from the surface to depths ranging between 2 m and 6 m towards the east between stations 5 and 25. The low resistivity end of this spectrum indicates the real contaminant leachate plume, while the relatively high resistivity value is believed to be the migrating plume contaminating the surrounding soil. This zone is classified as high impact zone.

Zone 2 is a zone of moderately low resistivity values ranging between 11.3 Ω-m and 17.6 Ω-m. This resistivity value range is a little bit lower than the resistivity of the clayey weathered zone got for the area. Hence, it is assumed that this zone had been impacted by the migrating leachate; it reaches up to 20 m at its deepest point which occurs at station 25, this zone is classified as impacted zone. The preponderance of this zone in the eastern section lays credence to the fact that the leachate is migrating towards the east.

The third zone is the zone with resistivity value varying between 18 Ω-m and 181 Ω-m; the lower resistivity value spectrum corresponds to the weathered basement resistivity value gotten from the 1D survey. This zone dominated the western portion of the profile especially the higher resistivity values. The zone is classified as no impact zone.

Profile 2. This profile is 50 m away from profile 1 towards the north of the dumpsite and also runs in an east-west direction (Figure 4(b)). Three zones were also delineated beneath this profile.

The first zone is a zone of very low resistivity values (3.4 Ω-m to 11 Ω-m). Two of such zones were identified; the first one lies between stations 8 and 17. It is shallower under station 8 and progressively increases in depth towards station 17 (the depth range is between 1 m and 6 m). The second occurrence is between stations 20 and 32. It starts at the surface between stations 20 and 24, while it occurs at a relatively deeper depth between stations 25 and 32. The zone is very pronounced under this profile and reaches up to 20 m towards the eastern section. This is the contaminant leachate plume mixed with decomposing waste and had impacted the surrounding soil; this zone is classified as very high impact zone.

The second zone is a zone of moderately low resistivity values ranging between 13 Ω-m and 25 Ω-m. It occurs to the western section of the profile with depths ranging between 2 m under stations 1 to 20 m under station 22; this zone is classified as high impact zone. The third zone is the zone with resistivity value varying between 25 Ω-m and 35 Ω-m; the zone is classified as a low impact zone implying that the leachate contaminant is just trying to approach this zone; hence, its concentration within this zone is very low.

The fourth zone is classified as a zone of no impact. The zone is towards the west as well, where the resistivity values of this zone are generally greater than 35 Ω-m; this value is presumed to be the true resistivity of the clayey overburden. The profile is as shown in Figure 4(b).

Profile 3. This is 50 m away from profile 2 towards the north of the dumpsite and also runs in an east-west direction (Figure 4(c)). Very low resistivity zone (blue colour) with resistivity value (between 9.7 Ω-m to 13.8 Ω-m) was isolated at the surface and to deeper depths between 2 m and 6 m at the middle of the profile between stations 11.5 and 22. It forms an oblong shaped structure pointing towards the east. This is the contaminant leachate plume mixed with decomposing waste and is contaminating the surrounding soil; this zone is classified as very high impact zone, this zone is of moderate depths under this profile.

This second zone is a zone of resistivity values ranging between 14 Ω-m and 25 Ω-m. It occurs to the eastern section of the profile with depths ranging between 4 m and 20 m; this zone is classified as high impact zone. The leachate plume contaminant is gradually reaching this zone.

The third zone is the zone with resistivity value varying between 25 Ω-m and 35 Ω-m; this zone is classified as a low impact zone.

The fourth zone is a zone of no impact. The zone is also towards the west of the profile. The resistivity values of this zone are greater than 35 Ω-m; this value is believed to be the true resistivity of the clayey overburden. However the area extent of impact is wider than the two previous profiles. The profile is as shown in Figure 4(c).

Profile 4. It is 50 m away from profile 3 towards the north. It also runs in an east-west direction (Figure 4(d)). A high resistivity zone occurs between stations 21 and 33 at relatively shallow depth of 2 m. This zone was not impacted with the leachate plume.

Two very low resistivity zones (blue colour) (7.84 Ω-m to 13.1 Ω-m) were isolated under this profile. The first one is an oblong shaped anomaly occurring from the surface between stations 7 and 21. The average depth to its base is about 6 m. The second contaminant plume delineated occurs between stations 26 and 31. It is an oblate shaped anomaly. Its depth of occurrence lies between 4 m and 10 m. This is the contaminant leachate plume mixed with decomposing waste and contaminating the surrounding soil; this zone is classified as very high impact zone.

The second zone is a zone of moderately low resistivity values ranging between 12 Ω-m and 25 Ω-m. It occurs between stations 4 and 32 with depth to its base ranging between 2 m and 18 m; this zone is classified as high impact zone, because of the low resistivity values.

The third zone is the zone with resistivity value varying between 25 Ω-m and 35 Ω-m, the zone is classified as a low impact zone implying that the leachate contaminant is just trying to approach this zone; therefore, its concentration within this zone is very low.

The last zone is a zone of no impact. The resistivity values of this zone are greater than 35 Ω-m; this value is believed to be the true resistivity of the clayey overburden. This profile is also a highly impacted profile as shown in Figure 4(d). This supports the notion that the leachate plume is migrating towards the north as well. Table 2 shows the summary.

Table 2

Zone
Resistivity value range
Impact range

(ohm-m)

1
3.4 -m to 11 -m
High impact zone

2
25 -m and 35 -m
Low impact zone

3
>35 -m
No impact zone

4. Geochemical Analysis

Water samples were taken from five hand dug wells around the dumpsite. Two of the wells are on the western side of the site while the remaining three are from the eastern side where we presumed that the contaminant is migrating towards. The geochemical analysis of the groundwater samples reveals very high total dissolved solids (TDS), very high conductivity, and very high nitrate ions for the three wells towards the east. The average value gotten for TDS is 2033 mg/L, conductivity is 2868 mg/L, and nitrate ion is 63 mg/L. These values are above the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits for potable water. Table 3 shows the analysis.

Table 3

Parameters
Unit
Hand dug well
WHO standard (2004)

M
N
A
B
C

West
West
East
East
East

Turbidity
NTU
1.00
1.00
1.53
4.56
4.56
1–5

TSS
Mg/L
10
10
30
30
40

TS
Mg/L
120
40
1130
2530
2540

PH
pH unit
6.95
6.85
7.15
7.55
6.95
6.6–8.5

Conductivity
US/cm
175
49
1655
3470
3480
1500

TDS
Mg/L
110
30
1100
2500
2500
500–1000

Ca²⁺
Mg/L
3.13
2.40
13.47
65.13
69.56
75–200

Mg²⁺
Mg/L
2.75
2.75
18.98
17.70
18.75
50–150

Na⁺
Mg/L
8.50
14.01
84.30
222.50
177.70
20–200

K⁺
Mg/L
1.56
1.06
143.9
261.9
251.00

Mg/L
1.00
1.00
58.00
64.00
68.00
45–50

5. Conclusion

The results of 2D electrical resistivity imaging and the geochemical analysis of the groundwater samples show that the dumpsite had generated contaminant plumes and is migrating actively. It has low resistivity value ranging between 4 ohm-m and 13.8 ohm-m, which signifies a conducting fluid. The geochemical analysis of the water samples corroborated this assertion by showing high TDS and high conductivity. We believe that the leachate generated from this dumpsite is impacting the soil and subsequently impacting the groundwater flowing through the soil as well. These high values recorded for the parameters mentioned in Table 3 and the nitrate ion concentration shows the leachate generated from this dumpsite pose health challenges to the inhabitants of this area especially the ones living towards the east. The large width of the contaminant plume experienced in the northern and eastern directions is primarily due to groundwater flow. The plume had reached a considerable depth towards the east.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely appreciate the management and staff of Dasamol Georesource Company for providing the data for this work. They also thank Ogunniyi Rotimi, Akinfolarin Abiodun, and Awotunde Wale for assisting with the data collection.

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