Geophysical investigations using geolelectric methods such as eletroresistivity and induced polarization by means of vertical electrical sounding (Schlumberger array) and electrical profiling (dipole-dipole array) have been used in a controlled waste landfill located in Piracicaba (São Paulo State). The main objective was to evaluate the potentiality of the integrated use of these methods in the geoelectric characterization of the area. The regional geology consists of clay or silty/clay sediments intercalated with sandstones of the Corumbataí Formation. Resistivity and induced polarization interpretation allows to map the leachate percolation zones and to identify different sandy and silty sediments of this formation. The results shows that IP polarization is sensitive to the urban waste presence and the induced polarization effect is related to the materials polarizability within the excavation site, such as steel cans, paper, electronic parts and the residues covering material. The induced polarization method is more indicated to residues mapping zones, where a resistivity contrast between the natural environment and the residues (urban waste) does not exist.
Keywords: Resistivity, induced polarization, waste landfill.
