The area immediately surrounding a landfill was studied by DC resistivity methods, soil borings, and review of historical data bases to learn if the landfill had released leachate to the ground water and to define the geology and hydrogeology of the site. Property immediately adjacent to the landfill has been proposed as a new landfill site. The geology and hydrogeology of this site were investigated to provide supplemental data for use in planning and operating the new landfill.Although no contaminant plumes were located by resistivity methods, the range in measured resistivity values proved to be sufficiently large to possibly mask existing leachate migration from the landfill. Using the resistivity data base generated through this effort, future resistivity surveys at this site may identify changes indicating contaminant plume formation or migration.Zones of shallow sand and gravel were found (by resistivity methods) to be present at locations that appear to correlate with slightly higher topography and soil type MuB2. This information led to the location and confirmation of other shallow permeable zones in the glacial drift with the same common attributes (soil type MuB2, higher topography and 5 to 15 feet deep sand and gravel). These shallow permeable zones had been omitted from the ground-water monitoring systems for both the Metropolitan Landfill and the proposed Delaware County Landfill. The results of this study were used as the basis for recommendations presented to the local board of health and the state regarding the need for additional ground-water monitoring at the two sites and the suggested locations for such.

Environmental issues were at their peak in the 1960s'. The concern and willingness of the public to work for a better environment brought new federal laws and regulations to the United States. After more than twenty years, it seems that the public is losing interest in attaining a better environment.This case study deals with perception and recognition of environmental issues such as solid waste disposal in Delaware county, Indiana. Statements regarding knowledge and willingness to get involved in issues like solid waste disposal and environmental education were addressed. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Groundwater contamination by landfill generated leachate is a problem that is increasingly addressed for proposed and existing landfill sites.This thesis examines groundwater contamination movement from the abandoned Delaware County Municipal landfill. The site is located in the crest of a highly permeable sand and gravel glacial esker which allows for rapid movement of ground water and any contaminants introduced into it.The landfill site was originally investigated in the late 1970's by Ed Lusch, a graduate student at the Ball State University Geology Department. That study showed some indications of ground water contamination movement to about 400 feet west of the site, in the direction of ground water flow. This indicated position of a contamination plume suggested that leachate, generated from the landfill site, had moved to that position since (or possibly before) the closing of the landfill in 1971.The present study, using a combination of surface resistivity methods, on-site test wells, and chemical analyses of ground water, attempted to determine the degree of contamination movement from the site since the original study and the extent to which the local aquifer had been affected. Results of this investigation revealed an apparent slow movement of leachate from the landfill westward towards the Mississinewa River, also in the direction of ground water flow. Surface resistivity methods of this study revealed the plume of contamination (indicated by resistivity "low" area) to now exist at approximately the same location as indicated in the earlier study, but to have expanded laterally. This investigation also found indications of the contamination plume well into the underlying fractured dolostone.Chemical analyses of nearby residential wells also revealed slightly elevated amounts of chloride, ammonia and specific conductivity in the ground water of the glacial esker south of the abandoned landfill site. The presence of three other dump sites, including a sludge dump, along the esker south of the landfill, offers questions as to the source of ground water contamination.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306