Landfill surveys
Landfilling is the major approach for the treatment and disposal for solid wastes. The other approaches are combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis. The major advantage of landfilling is its lower cost compared with other disposal methods. Besides, there are practically no limitations on the types of solid wastes that could be disposed at landfill sites.
Environmental regulations in many countries place operational and technical requirements and limitations for waste landfills to reduce pollution of ground waters, surface waters, soil, and air. Western European countries like the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany have prohibited the stockpiling of untreated waste in landfills. In these countries, only the incineration ash or inert outputs of MBT waste treatment plants may be deposited.
Landfills have a lot of negative environmental impacts. Many are now sources of uncontrolled leakages (including highly contaminated leachate), gas emissions, spread of litter and dust, and other types of pollution. Birds may carry litter off site causing potential health risks. Landfill fires caused by degradation of waste and spontaneous combustion are especially dangerous, as they can emit dangerous fumes, including dioxins and other carcinogens. Landfill fires occur frequently. During the last decade huge landfill fires happened in lots of places including Naples, Italy; Swindon and Castle Cary, UK; Bridgeton, MO, USA; Santiago, Chile (Santa Marta sanitary landfill); Mumbai and New Delhi suburbs (Bhalswa landfill).
Zesmill is an innovative company providing an integrated platform for landfill monitoring. The core services that can be provided by Zesmill’s surveying and geological teams are set out below:
- aerial and satellite imaging
- topographical landfill surveys
- DEM generation, landfill contour site plans
- volume calculations and survey of remaining landfill capacity
- surface and subsurface landfill gas sampling and monitoring (conducted under a sub-contracting)
- thermal imaging of landfills using terrestrial thermal camera (Fluke TiR 50 Flexcam)
- helicopters' thermal imaging (conducted under a sub-contracting)
- landfill fire monitoring with remote sensing data
- geological and geochemical characterization of landfill areas including drilling, soil and water sampling
- geophysical (electric conductivity) surveys
- geologic and environmental mapping and 3D modeling
- feasibility analysis of new landfills, transfer stations and waste treatment plants
Illegal waste disposal sites
Zesmill also specializes in detection of illegal and uncontrolled landfill sites. This is an acute environmental problem for many countries including Middle East, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and Latin America.
The ability to use very high resolution satellite images to identify garbage and industrial waste is proven. With our experience in illegal landfill detection and our know-how in remote sensing we detect, map, and monitor illegal waste disposal sites. At Zesmill we have collected a number of spectral signatures of various types of garbage including construction and demolition waste (concrete debris, brickbats etc.), domestic garbage, coke and iron slag, tires. The use of satellite imagery in illegal dump site detection is much more cost-effective than plane or helicopter surveys. Meantime, aerial photography may reveal location of even the smallest landfills or garbage dumps.
Developing new landfills: site selection, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
Zesmill has experience in landfill site identification and feasibility studies. It is crucial to obtain as much as possible information about possible landfill sites. For the preferred ones, Zesmill performs aerial or ground survey, carries out geological, hydrogeological, and landscape ecology studies, and develops conceptual design. The travel time and the implications for modes of transport on the waste collection service are analyzed using GIS, because this also may be the key factor influences on the site location.
There are several typical sites for new landfills to be placed — abandoned clay, loam and marl quarries, trenches and depressions along with specially protected “flat” areas remote from settlements and watercourses.
There are also many restrictions. Landfill development is prohibited in coastal areas, landslide and karst prone areas, active tectonic faults zones, lands in the 50 years flood plains, wetlands and in proximity of airports (because of aviation ornithology restrictions).
The public opinion is also important question. Well-known opposition of the local residents “Not in my back yard” should be addressed. Zesmill provides decision-makers, communities and waste management service companies with urban and rural population data, land use and environmental maps.