Characterization of proposed waste disposal site of granite quarry pits near Hyderabad using hydro-geophysical and groundwater modeling studies

Safe disposal and storage of dredged sediments from severely polluted urban lakes is a big challenge to deal with. This paper deals with the importance of hydro-geophysical and groundwater modeling applications for characterizing appropriate and environmental safe site for storage and disposal of hazardous dredged sediment from Hussain Sagar Lake bed. One such disposal site is proposed at Gajularamaram village near Quthubullapur Mandal, Greater Hyderabad. The area is having predominantly exposed rocks of Peninsular Gneissic Complex (PGC) along with enclaves of schists and basic dykes. The geological singularities are the major concern for an environmentally protected construction of the landfill. Hydro-geophysical studies, such as Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), water level monitoring and in situ soil infiltration tests carried out in and around the proposed waste disposal granite quarry site. In situ soil infiltration rate varied from 0.09 to 15.36 cm/hr. Besides, groundwater flow and mass transport model was conceptualized for predicting any seepages of leachate from these waste filled quarry pits. The results indicated that the existing abandoned granite quarry pits are suitable for disposal of hazardous lake bed sediment of Hussain Sagar Lake. Furthermore, few remedial measures were suggested for arresting lateral migration of leachate if any through quarry pits.