Statistical inference of propagation of a leachate plume

Abstract

This paper presents a probabilistic assessment of the maximum distance travelled by the contamination plume produced by a Municipal Landfill in South America at the time the ionic concentrations of several contaminants found in the groundwater have been measured. Field and laboratory results of ionic concentrations of contaminants in the groundwater are presented and interpreted. In this beach town, the 22,000 m2 landfill is located 2 km from the closest urban district. The landfill has been in operation for 15 years and gathers 18,000 tons/year from the local population, and 4,000 tons/year produced seasonally by the tourists in summer, totalling 22,000 tons/year of solid waste. Several farms located adjacent to the landfill rely on the ground water for the domestic consumption and farming activities. The solid waste has been dumped without any prior engineering design, causing severe environmental problems to the local farmers, who seek compensation from the municipality. The objective of this paper is to assess the potential risk to the surrounding properties by estimating the maximum distance travelled by the leachate plume by proper statistical interpretation of the measured ionic concentrations of several contaminants.