Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal

Suraj Belbase; Khomendra Bhandari; Dinesh Pathak; Umesh Chandra Bhusal

doi:doi:10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal

Suraj Belbase^*, Khomendra Bhandari^*, Dinesh Pathak, Umesh Chandra Bhusal

Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 15, Issue 1)

Received: 7 January 2026 Accepted: 19 January 2026 Published: 9 February 2026

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Abstract

Leachate generated from landfill sites represents a major environmental threat, particularly to surface and groundwater resources. Conventional leachate monitoring using boreholes is a one-dimensional approach and does not adequately define the lateral and vertical extent of leachate plume migration. To address this limitation, an integrated geophysical and physico-chemical investigation was carried out at the Sisdol landfill site to delineate the depth and spatial extent of leachate plume migration. The study employed a two-dimensional electrical resistivity survey using Wenner and Wenner–Schlumberger array configurations, complemented by physico-chemical analysis of leachate and surface water samples. A total of six electrical resistivity survey lines were conducted within the landfill site, and five water samples were collected from upstream, on-site, and downstream locations. The resistivity images clearly distinguish leachate plumes, saturated and unsaturated waste zones, and the landfill base. The leachate exhibits very low resistivity values ranging from 0.47 Ωm to 6 Ωm, consistent with its high electrical conductivity of 35010 μS/cm. Physico-chemical analysis indicates elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and lead in downstream water samples, while upstream samples remain uncontaminated. Lead concentrations exceeding permissible limits were detected at one downstream site. These findings confirm that the poorly managed Sisdol landfill site poses a serious risk to nearby water resources due to leachate percolation and direct discharge into the Kolpu Khola without proper treatment.

Published in	Earth Sciences (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
Page(s)	52-71
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

ERT, Landfill Site, Leachate, Physico-Chemical Investigation, Geomorphologically

References

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APA Style

Belbase, S., Bhandari, K., Pathak, D., Bhusal, U. C. (2026). Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sciences, 15(1), 52-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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ACS Style

Belbase, S.; Bhandari, K.; Pathak, D.; Bhusal, U. C. Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sci. 2026, 15(1), 52-71. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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AMA Style

Belbase S, Bhandari K, Pathak D, Bhusal UC. Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sci. 2026;15(1):52-71. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15,
  author = {Suraj Belbase and Khomendra Bhandari and Dinesh Pathak and Umesh Chandra Bhusal},
  title = {Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {52-71},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20261501.15},
  abstract = {Leachate generated from landfill sites represents a major environmental threat, particularly to surface and groundwater resources. Conventional leachate monitoring using boreholes is a one-dimensional approach and does not adequately define the lateral and vertical extent of leachate plume migration. To address this limitation, an integrated geophysical and physico-chemical investigation was carried out at the Sisdol landfill site to delineate the depth and spatial extent of leachate plume migration. The study employed a two-dimensional electrical resistivity survey using Wenner and Wenner–Schlumberger array configurations, complemented by physico-chemical analysis of leachate and surface water samples. A total of six electrical resistivity survey lines were conducted within the landfill site, and five water samples were collected from upstream, on-site, and downstream locations. The resistivity images clearly distinguish leachate plumes, saturated and unsaturated waste zones, and the landfill base. The leachate exhibits very low resistivity values ranging from 0.47 Ωm to 6 Ωm, consistent with its high electrical conductivity of 35010 μS/cm. Physico-chemical analysis indicates elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and lead in downstream water samples, while upstream samples remain uncontaminated. Lead concentrations exceeding permissible limits were detected at one downstream site. These findings confirm that the poorly managed Sisdol landfill site poses a serious risk to nearby water resources due to leachate percolation and direct discharge into the Kolpu Khola without proper treatment.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal
AU  - Suraj Belbase
AU  - Khomendra Bhandari
AU  - Dinesh Pathak
AU  - Umesh Chandra Bhusal
Y1  - 2026/02/09
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 52
EP  - 71
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
AB  - Leachate generated from landfill sites represents a major environmental threat, particularly to surface and groundwater resources. Conventional leachate monitoring using boreholes is a one-dimensional approach and does not adequately define the lateral and vertical extent of leachate plume migration. To address this limitation, an integrated geophysical and physico-chemical investigation was carried out at the Sisdol landfill site to delineate the depth and spatial extent of leachate plume migration. The study employed a two-dimensional electrical resistivity survey using Wenner and Wenner–Schlumberger array configurations, complemented by physico-chemical analysis of leachate and surface water samples. A total of six electrical resistivity survey lines were conducted within the landfill site, and five water samples were collected from upstream, on-site, and downstream locations. The resistivity images clearly distinguish leachate plumes, saturated and unsaturated waste zones, and the landfill base. The leachate exhibits very low resistivity values ranging from 0.47 Ωm to 6 Ωm, consistent with its high electrical conductivity of 35010 μS/cm. Physico-chemical analysis indicates elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and lead in downstream water samples, while upstream samples remain uncontaminated. Lead concentrations exceeding permissible limits were detected at one downstream site. These findings confirm that the poorly managed Sisdol landfill site poses a serious risk to nearby water resources due to leachate percolation and direct discharge into the Kolpu Khola without proper treatment.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Suraj Belbase

Department of Geology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Khomendra Bhandari

Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal

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Dinesh Pathak

Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
Umesh Chandra Bhusal

Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal

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APA Style

Belbase, S., Bhandari, K., Pathak, D., Bhusal, U. C. (2026). Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sciences, 15(1), 52-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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ACS Style

Belbase, S.; Bhandari, K.; Pathak, D.; Bhusal, U. C. Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sci. 2026, 15(1), 52-71. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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AMA Style

Belbase S, Bhandari K, Pathak D, Bhusal UC. Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal. Earth Sci. 2026;15(1):52-71. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15,
  author = {Suraj Belbase and Khomendra Bhandari and Dinesh Pathak and Umesh Chandra Bhusal},
  title = {Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {52-71},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20261501.15},
  abstract = {Leachate generated from landfill sites represents a major environmental threat, particularly to surface and groundwater resources. Conventional leachate monitoring using boreholes is a one-dimensional approach and does not adequately define the lateral and vertical extent of leachate plume migration. To address this limitation, an integrated geophysical and physico-chemical investigation was carried out at the Sisdol landfill site to delineate the depth and spatial extent of leachate plume migration. The study employed a two-dimensional electrical resistivity survey using Wenner and Wenner–Schlumberger array configurations, complemented by physico-chemical analysis of leachate and surface water samples. A total of six electrical resistivity survey lines were conducted within the landfill site, and five water samples were collected from upstream, on-site, and downstream locations. The resistivity images clearly distinguish leachate plumes, saturated and unsaturated waste zones, and the landfill base. The leachate exhibits very low resistivity values ranging from 0.47 Ωm to 6 Ωm, consistent with its high electrical conductivity of 35010 μS/cm. Physico-chemical analysis indicates elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and lead in downstream water samples, while upstream samples remain uncontaminated. Lead concentrations exceeding permissible limits were detected at one downstream site. These findings confirm that the poorly managed Sisdol landfill site poses a serious risk to nearby water resources due to leachate percolation and direct discharge into the Kolpu Khola without proper treatment.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Delineation of Leachate Plume and Subsurface Characterization Using Geophysical Method of Sisdol Landfill Site, Nepal
AU  - Suraj Belbase
AU  - Khomendra Bhandari
AU  - Dinesh Pathak
AU  - Umesh Chandra Bhusal
Y1  - 2026/02/09
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 52
EP  - 71
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20261501.15
AB  - Leachate generated from landfill sites represents a major environmental threat, particularly to surface and groundwater resources. Conventional leachate monitoring using boreholes is a one-dimensional approach and does not adequately define the lateral and vertical extent of leachate plume migration. To address this limitation, an integrated geophysical and physico-chemical investigation was carried out at the Sisdol landfill site to delineate the depth and spatial extent of leachate plume migration. The study employed a two-dimensional electrical resistivity survey using Wenner and Wenner–Schlumberger array configurations, complemented by physico-chemical analysis of leachate and surface water samples. A total of six electrical resistivity survey lines were conducted within the landfill site, and five water samples were collected from upstream, on-site, and downstream locations. The resistivity images clearly distinguish leachate plumes, saturated and unsaturated waste zones, and the landfill base. The leachate exhibits very low resistivity values ranging from 0.47 Ωm to 6 Ωm, consistent with its high electrical conductivity of 35010 μS/cm. Physico-chemical analysis indicates elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, and lead in downstream water samples, while upstream samples remain uncontaminated. Lead concentrations exceeding permissible limits were detected at one downstream site. These findings confirm that the poorly managed Sisdol landfill site poses a serious risk to nearby water resources due to leachate percolation and direct discharge into the Kolpu Khola without proper treatment.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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