Refraction Seismic Study Over a Proposed Landfill Site in South West Bank, Palestine

A refraction seismic survey was used at a proposed landfill site in Al Minya basin south of West Bank in an effort to delineate the thickness of the soil cover and the distribution of rock types underneath, and to detect the subsurface structures that can act as contaminant pathways. One hundred seismic refraction traverse lines were run on the ground surface using the reverse profile techniques with a geophone interval between 3–5 m. From the seismic data analysis and the geological interpretation of the results, three main velocity zones were detected, ranging between 192–1085 m/s of the first two layers, representing the unconsolidated materials, to a moderately high velocity of the fresh bedrock, varying between 1100–2400 m/s. The velocity zones found, within the investigated seismic refraction sections were found to be compatible with the changes in the lithology of the study area. The general characteristics of the subsurface geology seem suitable for the proposed landfill site, yet light fracturing traced within the bedrock requires some remediation to prevent seepage. However, the landfill site is underlain by an aquitard layer of marl and chalk that will attenuate naturally the leachate infiltration.