Vagner Roberto Elis

Investigações geofísicas de superfície e de poço no sítio controlado de geofísica rasa do IAG-USP

This paper presents the results obtained from surface and borehole geophysical investigations carried out at the Shallow Geophysical Test Site of IAG-USP. The main objective was to characterize the sediments and the top of basement. The area is constituted by sandy-clay sediments of Sao Paulo Basin (Sao Paulo and Resend Formations) on the granite-gneiss basement with different degrees of weathering. In the area of studies, three boreholes were drilled for geological and geophysical research purposes (pioneer in Brazil). These boreholes were used to verify the stratigraphy, to collect the sample for laboratory measurements, to calibrate the results of surface geophysics and to carry out well logging. The surface methods used were: seismic (reflection and refraction), electric-resistivity (profiling and vertical electric sounding) and GPR-Ground Penetrating Radar. The integration of results show excellent agreement and allow constructing a geological-geophysical model for the site which is at the border of Sao Paulo sedimentary basin. Moreover, the various geophysics methods, commonly used in geological, geotechnical and environmental researches, have been tested under controlled conditions.

Aplicação integrada de métodos geofísicos em uma área de disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos em Bauru-SP

Geophysics has shown effectiveness in identify areas contaminated by urban solid wastes, contributing to become more effective sounding programs directed to collect of samples and installation of monitoring systems. In this context, this work had as purpose evaluating the potentialities of the integration of geophysical methods (resistivity, induced polarization and self-potential) in the environmental characterization of the area of the sanitary landfill of the city of Bauru-SP. The self-potential method allowed to detect the direction of the underground flow. The resistivity and induced polarization methods allowed to identify anomalies inside of the saturated zone, that characterize the presence of contamination generated for the migration of the percolated proceeding of the disposal of solid waste. This contamination is confirmed by direct investigation (chemical analysis of the water collected in the monitoring wells). The geophysical methods used had supplied a great number of information about the several characteristics related to interaction between waste disposal area and environment.

Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) signatures of clayey soils containing toluene

We performed laboratory experiments to investigate the sensitivity of the Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) method to toluene contamination in clayey soils. We used mixtures of quartzitic sand and montmorillonite as soil samples, artificially contaminated with varying amounts of toluene. Care was taken to quantify the experimental uncertainty resulting from packing since such effects must be quantified if variations in SIP signatures between samples are to be reliably interpreted in terms of the effects of hydrocarbon concentration. The SIP response of all samples following addition of toluene was monitored for a period of 40 days following sample preparation. Stepwise regression was used to examine the statistical significance of correlations between (i) clay content and (ii) toluene concentration and SIP parameters. Both single-frequency real and imaginary conductivity measurements, along with the integral chargeability, normalized chargeability, DC conductivity and time constant obtained from a Debye decomposition fitting, were examined in this regression analysis. The SIP measurements show a clear time dependence following sample preparation, indicating that samples containing toluene may take significant time to reach an equilibrium electrical response. SIP measurements are significantly related to toluene content shortly after sample preparation, when the expected dependence of SIP on clay concentration is apparently suppressed. However, for the state of electrical equilibrium after 40 days (interpreted to indicate surface chemistry at equilibrium) there is no significant relation between SIP measurements and toluene content; instead SIP measurements are then significantly correlated with clay concentration. The total chargeability, normalized chargeability and relaxation time obtained from the Debye decomposition show no correlation with toluene content, indicating that this procedure, which likely integrates over multiple mechanisms, may not be suitable for understanding relationships between SIP and hydrocarbon contamination. We find only small low-frequency polarization signals observed in relation to toluene concentration (2 mrad at 0.01 Hz), which initially decreases the interfacial polarization. Unlike earlier works, our results do not support the use of the SIP method as a tool for monitoring toluene contamination in clay soils.

Detecção de contaminação de solo por vinhaça através de análise de dados de eletrorresistividade

The vinasse, awaste produced in the proportion of 13 liters for each liter of alcohol. It has a high potential of polluting groundwater and superficial water resources, changes the soil behaviour and can also develop sanilization problems. This work aims to evaluate the efficiency of the DC-resistivity method in detecting and mapping anomalies caused by inappropriate disposal of vinasse in an inactive infiltration tank located at Sepe-Tiaraju settlement of landless agricultural laborers in the Ribeirao Preto region. Besides, as secondary goals, this work aims to characterize the type of anomaly residue as well as to diagnose its influence inside and outside of the limits of the tank. Eleven electrical resistivity tomography profiles were carried out with the dipole-dipole array, 10m of dipoles length and 5 leveis of investigation The geophysical survey enabled us to conclude that the DC-resistivity method is appropriate for mapping the contamination plume caused by intense vinasse disposal and its influence. It enabled also to conclude that the contamination exceeds the tank limits. The vinasse influence can be characterized by low resistivity values between 10 Ohm.m and 90 Ohm.m and its behavior can be compared with the one of the chorume, which is also conductive.

Aplicação de ensaios de resistividade na caracterização do Sistema Aquífero Barreiras / Marituba em Maceió - AL

The characterization of Barreiras/Marituba Aquifer System, the major source of water supply of Maceio City, Alagoas State, Brasil, is an important way to support a sustainable usage and management of groundwater. The tectonic and stratigraphycal framework that was built using well logs, surface geological information and analysis of structural elements indicate a model with a series of grabens and horsts structures. To check and calibrate this geological model vertical electrical soundings and dipole-dipole electrical profiling were performed. The results of the geophysical survey confirmed the existence of conductive zones, that characterize the zones of normal faults delimiting the structural blocks. The integration of geological and structural data demonstrates the structural blocks geometry constraining the aquifer behavior.

Estudos geofísicos integrados no lixão de Cuiabá, MT, Brasil: resultados preliminares

One of the major concerns in geoenvironmental projects is the soil and water contamination caused by the waste disposal. The geophysical methods applied are a good way to get some information required in a site characterization program. This work shows some results obtained through resistivity, EM inductive and GPR surveys in the search of informations about the impact caused by a waste disposal area in Cuiaba, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Small-scale landfills: impacts on groundwater and soil

In Brazil, the large quantities of solid waste produced are out of step with public policies, technological developments, and government budgets for the division. In small municipalities, the common lack of technological knowledge and financial conditions for suitable waste disposal has resulted in a large number of illegal dumps. Therefore, small sanitary landfill facilities are working with simplified operations focusing on cost reduction and meeting the economic and technological standards of the city without endangering the environment or public health. Currently, this activity is regulated at a federal level although there is some uncertainty regarding the risk of soil and aquifer contamination as theses facilities do not employ liners. Thus, this work evaluates a small landfill to identify changes in soil and groundwater using geotechnical parameters, monitoring wells, and geophysical tests performed by electrical profiling. It is verified that based on current conditions, no contaminants have migrated via underground water aquifers, and overall no significant changes have occurred in the soil. It is concluded that, despite its simplicity, the method investigated is a viable alternative for the final disposal of municipal solid waste from small cities, especially in developing countries.

Aplicação de ensaios elétricos e eletromagnéticos em problema de poluição ambiental

This work aims at the detection of the contamination caused by a waste disposal area, through the electric geophysical methods of resistivity, induced electromagnetics. Field measurements had been carried out in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a deactivated waste disposal area. The obtained data had been dealt with appropriate softwares that enabled the distinction of the anomalies which help the characterization of the environmental pollution problem.

Application of induced polarization and resistivity to the environmental investigation of an old waste disposal area

Abstract Waste disposal in dumpsites, or even in sanitary landfills, can generate contamination plumes in the subsurface. The detection and delineation of the shape of the contaminant plume can be assessed using monitoring systems or different site investigation methods, including geophysical methods. This paper presents the results of a geophysical survey conducted to map the soil contamination produced by a waste disposal site located at a geological vulnerable area, characterized by a trench that resulted from the collapse of sandy soils due to erosion. This paper aims to show the improvement in mapping a waste deposit and the contamination produced in sandy soils by integrating resistivity and induced polarization methods. The results of three survey lines performed to map the site are presented—two across the deposit and one external to it; and resistivity, chargeability and normalized chargeability sections were generated. The geoelectrical sections interpretation was integrated with information from monitoring wells to help the characterization of the waste area and to evaluate soil and groundwater contamination. The results show that resistivity identifies the wastes, the contaminated soil and the contamination plume, but it does not distinguish these zones. Normalized chargeability, on the other hand, is more effective in distinguishing the areas with wastes from the areas impacted by the contamination plume.

Geo-Environmental Site Investigation for Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Deactivated dump sites and inadequate sanitary landfills can be a serious potential source of contamination. Due to the large number of these sites, contaminants can be generated and migrate into the ground. For this reason, site investigation programs which consider different types of soils and contaminants are needed. In many countries, sanitary landfills have been recently built according to the engineering standards with satisfactory procedures and following the requirements imposed by the local environmental agencies, including monitoring and proper operations. There is a great concern with the operation of sanitary landfills and with the future of deactivated dump sites located in small and medium-size cities, since many of them were inappropriately constructed and operated. Consequently, the main surficial streams and groundwater aquifers, subsoil and air become vulnerable to contamination and pollution. A continuous site investigation program, including in-situ and laboratory tests are necessary to identify the typical soil profile, hydrogeological characteristics and background chemical values. The site surroundings and the subsoil contamination plume can be characterized based on geotechnical, geochemical and mineralogical techniques.