Application of Geophysical Techniques in Identifying Illegally Buried Toxic Waste

Abstract

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a rapid geophysical technique that we have used to assess four illegally buried waste locations in Northern Ireland. GPR allowed informed positioning of the less-rapid, if more accurate use of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI). In conductive waste, GPR signal loss can be used to map the areal extent of waste, allowing ERI survey lines to be positioned. In less conductive waste the geometry of the burial can be ascertained from GPR alone, allowing rapid assessment. In both circumstances, the conjunctive use of GPR and ERI is considered best practice for cross-validation of results and enhancing data interpretation.

Keywords:

• illegally buried waste
• security
• geophysics
• resistivity
• ground penetrating radar

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Chris Hunter, Andrew Hudson, Ann Blacker, Mark Preston, and Richard Gray of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for affording us the opportunity to work on these cases, and for funding. We are also grateful to Frankie Taylor (Police Service, Northern Ireland) and his colleagues for providing security.