Abstract:
The combined use of several geological, geochemical and
geophysical observations during six years enabled the detection of a very faint
halo of chemical contamination induced by the operation of a young waste
disposal facility in Northern Portugal. The halo does not classify as pollution
by any standards, but is observed to be intensifying and thus signals a potential
hazardous situation in future years. The approach used shows that a
comprehensive and diverse monitoring programme, although relatively
inexpensive and easy to carry out, may detect concealed leaks long before any
environmental concern is justified, and thus may help avert future complex
remediation needs caused by the uncontrolled growth of undetected
underground pollution plumes.
