Delineation of a landfill leachate plume and flow channels in coastal sands near Christchurch, New Zealand, using a shallow electromagnetic survey method

The Burwood landfill, which serves the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, is situated on coastal sands underlain by a sequence of aquifers and aquitards. Groundwater flow is toward the coast, located approximately 700 m from the landfill boundary. Shortly after completion of the first phase of the landfill, an array of wells was installed to detect any contaminant from the landfill. Leachate was detected in the wells closest to the landfill. A shallow electromagnetic (EM31) survey was carried out between the landfill and the coast, in order to delineate any leachate plume that may be present. On the basis of the geophysical results, a contaminant plume and buried channels connected to the coast were identified. Leachate flow initially occurs in what is probably a channel or pair of channels. Downgradient, the plume spreads out to the north and south as it moves eastward toward the coast. Using the geophysical results as a guide, a new set of wells was installed to confirm the presence of high leachate concentrations. Pore-water sampling confirms the presence of a leachate plume.