LAUSR

This study presents a comprehensive framework for reevaluating the suitability of an old active dumpsite and identifying potential sites in the Abhar region, Iran, through geophysical tomography survey, hydrogeological investigation, and the GIS-based AHP method. The results of 2D geoelectrical tomography demonstrated that the leachate plume, with a concentration depth of ~ 20 m, has not affected the aquifer, which is at the minimum depth of 70 m. Our interpretation of the permeability measurement through Philip’s equation reveals that the dumpsite topsoil has a low to middle permeability, ranging from 3 to 5 mm/h. After field investigations, three main criteria and twelve sub-criteria were selected and weighted by the AHP method. Accordingly, a ranked suitability map was prepared using a weighted linear combination method in GIS. The suitability map confirms the dumpsite is situated in a moderately suitable class. The most suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, poorly suitable, and least suitable zones cover 4.87%, 20.14%, 34.25%, 37.21%, and 3.72% of the Abhar plain, respectively. We have also defined vacant lands in the eastern and southern parts of the dumpsite for future operations. The method applied in this paper can be used for the suitability evaluation of other underground storage facilities.