Pollution level detection in dump clay liners by hyperspectral imaging

Landfill is the most common and cost-effective method of waste disposal, with collection and transportation accounting for 75% of the total cost. A key point in waste disposal is the picking up and the drainage of percolation fluids to limit the risk of groundwater contamination. Aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to develop fast and reliable methods to perform an in situ monitoring of clay pollution level. To reach this goal an hyperspectral imaging-based approach was adopted analysing 'ad hoc' polluted clay samples, as they result after contact, for different times, with dump leakage fluids. © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.