Electrical resistivity imaging for detection of hydrogeological active zones in karst areas to identify the site of mining waste disposal

Ali, Mosaad Ali Hussein; Sun, Shulin; Qian, Wei; Bohari, Abdou Dodo

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-08738-9

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The Schlumberger array was used for investigations and evaluation of environmental pollution in a mine tailings area in Komsomolsk, Russia [60]. Moreover, the most suitable spots for mine waste disposal were identified using the Wenner array [35]. Also, the Wenner array was utilized for the assessment of mine wastes in Regoufe, Portugal [61].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The details are explained in the next section. ated in the northwestern region of Honduras, proximate to Las Vegas [35]. It is positioned approximately 88 km to the southwest of San Pedro Sula and 220 km to the northwest of the capital city, Tegucigalpa.…”

Section: Synthetic Ert Model For Mtlmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, ERT has become a more attractive exploration method and a proven non-invasive and cost-effective technique. Many authors have demonstrated the conceivability to obtain accurate resistivity data of the subsurface structure using 2D/3D ERT inversion models [35][36][37][38][39][40][41].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Numerical Simulation of Geophysical Models to Detect Mining Tailings’ Leachates within Tailing Storage Facilities

Ali,

Mewafy,

Qian

et al. 2024

Water

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The effective detection and monitoring of mining tailings’ leachates (MTLs) plays a pivotal role in environmental protection and remediation efforts. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a non-invasive technique widely employed for mapping subsurface contaminant plumes. However, the efficacy of ERT depends on selecting the optimal electrode array for each specific case. This study addresses this challenge by conducting a comprehensive review of published case studies utilizing ERT to characterize mining tailings. Through numerical simulations, we compare the imaging capabilities of commonly used electrode configurations, six ERT arrays, aiming to identify the optimal array for MTLs’ detection and monitoring. In addition, field surveys employing ERT were conducted at the El Mochito mine tailings site to detect zones saturated with leachates within the tailing storage facilities (TSFs). The findings indicate that the “Wenner-Schlumberger” array exhibits superior data resolution for MTL detection. However, the choice of the optimal electrode array is contingent on factors such as survey location, geological considerations, research objectives, data processing time and cost, and logistical constraints. This study serves as a practical guide for selecting the most effective electrode array in the context of pollutant penetration from mining tailings, employing the ERT technique. Furthermore, it contributes valuable insights into characterizing zones saturated with mining tailing leachates within the TSFs, providing a solid foundation for informed environmental management and remediation strategies.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Synthetic Ert Model For Mtlmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Numerical Simulation of Geophysical Models to Detect Mining Tailings’ Leachates within Tailing Storage Facilities

Ali,

Mewafy,

Qian

et al. 2024

Water

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“…Laboratory calibration is basically performed by a one-dimensional array while the two-dimensional arrays are used to depict the vertical subsurface image. Three-dimensional arrays are used where there is a wide range of anisotropy and soil variability, especially in waste disposal sites [23]. However, the 2D electrical tomography method gives appropriate results when the resistivity contrast is high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Aspect

Alam,

Ahmed,

Alam

2024

Geotechnics

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Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has turned out to be one of the most applied and user-friendly geophysical methods in geotechnical and geoenvironmental research. ERT is an emerging technology that is becoming popular nowadays for investigating subsurface conditions. Multiple attributes of the technology using various electrode configurations significantly reduce measurement time and are suitable for applications even in hardly accessible mountain areas. It is a noninvasive test for subsurface characterization and a very sensitive method used to determine geophysical properties, i.e., structural integrity, water content, fluid composition, etc. This paper aimed to elucidate the ERT technique’s main features and applications in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering through four case studies. The first case study investigated the possible flow paths and areas of moisture accumulation after leachate recirculation in a bioreactor landfill. The second case study attempted to determine the moisture variation along highway pavement. The third case study explored the slope failure investigation by ERT. The fourth case study demonstrated the efficiency of the ERT method in the landfill evapotranspiration (ET) cover to investigate moisture variation on a broader scale and performance monitoring. In all of the four cases, ERT exhibited promising performance.

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“…Furthermore, ERT serves as a valuable tool for determining the physicochemical composition of mine tailings ponds, enabling cost-effective and efficient surveys. It aids in estimating properties such as electrical conductivity, particle sizes, and metal concentrations within the infilling wastes of tailing ponds as well as ERT used to locate hydraulically conductive zones and select suitable locations for mining tailings disposal to prevent groundwater contamination [49]. Despite these significant advancements, the study of leachate pathways in mining tailings ponds remains a dynamic field that warrants further multidisciplinary research, drawing from geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and environmental science.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Leachate Pathways in Aging Mining Tailings Pond Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Ali,

Mewafy,

Qian

et al. 2023

Minerals

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Mining activities often leave behind a legacy of environmental challenges, with aging tailings ponds representing a significant concern due to their potential for leachate formation and subsequent contaminant release. Thus, this study employs Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to investigate the intricate pathways of leachate within an aging mining tailings pond, addressing the pressing environmental and human health concerns associated with potential contaminant release. Ten 2D ERT profiles were acquired at the El Mochito mine waste site, covering an area of approximately half a square kilometer. These profiles, ranging in length from 104 to 363 m, provided insights into subsurface conditions down to a maximum depth of 60 m. The subsurface mapping of the ERT data showed three different geoelectric layers. The uppermost layer, with a thickness of approximately 2.5 m and resistivity values ranging from 60 to 100 Ohm.m, was identified as a dry tailing/soil zone. Beneath it, the second layer exhibited moderately resistive values (30–60 Ohm.m) with varying thicknesses of 10–20 m, signifying a percolation/leaching zone (semi-saturated zone). The third layer, characterized by substantially low resistivity (1–30 Ohm.m), indicated saturation and the presence of conductive materials, strongly suggesting active leaching. Based on these findings, this study recommends further investigation through geochemical analysis of subsurface samples and more advanced geophysical imaging techniques to validate the distribution of anomalous zones and delineate remediation pathways. This study lays the foundation for future comprehensive research that will integrate geophysical surveys with geochemical analysis and establish 4D modeling techniques to monitor pollutant penetration over time, with a particular focus on mine waste tailings mapping. Plus, this study contributes valuable insights into the characterization of leachate pathways within mining tailings ponds, offering a foundation for informed environmental management and remediation strategies.

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Electrical resistivity imaging for detection of hydrogeological active zones in karst areas to identify the site of mining waste disposal

Cited by 8 publications

References 53 publications

Numerical Simulation of Geophysical Models to Detect Mining Tailings’ Leachates within Tailing Storage Facilities

Numerical Simulation of Geophysical Models to Detect Mining Tailings’ Leachates within Tailing Storage Facilities

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Aspect

Mapping Leachate Pathways in Aging Mining Tailings Pond Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography

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