Soil Covered Liners & Leach Pads

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Ensuring Integrity for Soil-Covered Liners, Landfills, & Leach Pads

hydroGEOPHYSICS Inc. (HGI) uses electrical geophysics to locate leaks on soil covered liners & leach pads.  Examples include landfills in the solid waste management industry and ore-covered leach pads in the mining industry.

The most significant cause of leaks on soil covered liners & leach pads or waste covered geomembranes, is damage caused by  machinery placing the materials on the liners…

Secure Your Containment Systems

The integrity of the geomembrane  in soil covered liners & leach pads can be compromised  by many factors including faulty construction, inadequate subgrade, or poor quality material placed on the geomembrane allowing tears to occur in the liner .  In addition,  accidents and carelessness after installation can play a large role in creating leaks in these systems.  The most significant cause of leaks in earth, or waste covered geomembranes, is damage caused by the machinery placing the materials on the liners.  Electrical leak location is one of  only a few methods available to locate leaks in these types of lined systems, and it is also the most robust with over 30 years of effective use.   Geomembranes are also used as fluid transport mechanisms; for example in the heap leaching process a solution will percolate through a leach dump dissolving precious metals.  When the solution reaches the liner as (Pregnant Leachate Solution) PLS, it then flows along the top of the liner to containment ponds for processing.  Therefore, ideally it is advantageous for geomembranes to have no leakage to ensure production, and the environment  is protected.

Two workers in orange safety vests and helmets stand on a rocky, uneven terrain at a construction site, surrounded by cables. Sunlight filters through the mist, highlighting a rugged landscape with hills in the background.

Using electrical methods, HGI develops unique and site specific surveys to geophysically detect and characterize subsurface leaks occurring along covered liner surfaces .  Our objective is to acquire sufficient geophysical coverage capable of laterally defining leak areas so excavation and liner repair efforts can be performed with confidence and in a timely fashion.

Below is a color contoured plot of a soil covered liner & leach pad showing leak locations from an electrical resistivity liner survey.  Note that the magnitude of the response is related to leak size, i.e. leak ‘B’ is likely larger than leak ‘A’ or leak ‘C’.

A grid map with colorful gradient sections labeled

We are the Right Choice

By choosing HGI, you’re not just selecting a service but partnering with industry leaders who are committed to your success. Our cutting-edge technology, experienced team, and proven track record make us the go-to choice for reliable leak detection in soil-covered liners and leach pads. Let us help you safeguard your operations with precision, efficiency, and a commitment to excellence.

  • Minimal Disruption: Our non-intrusive techniques pinpoint leaks without extensive excavation or operational interruptions, integrating seamlessly into your processes
  • High Accuracy: We detect even the smallest leaks utilizing state-of-the-art electrically-based geophysical methods, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
  • Safety and Compliance: Our methods enhance safety by keeping personnel out of hazardous areas and helping you meet stringent regulatory standards.
  • Cost Savings: Our efficient leak detection services prevent environmental damage and operational downtime, offering significant long-term savings.
  • Proven Results: Clients consistently succeed with HGI’s methods, particularly in scenarios where traditional technologies have failed.

How Soil-Covered Liner Leak Detection Works

The Science Behind Our Methods

HGI’s approach to leak detection in soil-covered liners involves advanced electrical geophysics techniques. Here’s how it works:

  1. Principle of Electrical Resistivity: Our methods are based on the principle that earth materials can transmit electric current. Changes in soil conditions, particularly soil moisture content, affect the resulting electric potential data acquired at the surface.
  2. Detection of Leaks: When fluid leaks across a liner boundary, it forms pathways for electric current flow. An undamaged liner acts as an electrical insulator, maintaining a constant electric field response. However, tears or holes in the liner allow the electric field to transmit through these areas, which are detected by changes in the electric potential field.
  3. Data Collection and Analysis: A transmitting electrode pair induces a current through the material. The resulting changes in the electric potential field are mapped along closely spaced survey lines. This data is collected using soil dipole probes and a portable data acquisition system, which is then analyzed using specialized software to pinpoint the exact locations of leaks.
  4. Color-Contoured Maps: The collected data creates color-contoured maps that identify leak locations. These maps visually represent the response’s magnitude, indicating the leaks’ size and severity. Larger leaks will show a more significant response, allowing for targeted and efficient repairs.
  5. Site-Specific Surveys: HGI develops unique and site-specific surveys to detect and characterize subsurface leaks along covered liner surfaces. Our objective is to acquire sufficient geophysical coverage to define leak areas laterally, enabling precise excavation and liner repair efforts.

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CONTACT HGI FOR YOUR LEAK DETECTION NEEDS