Monitoring moisture dynamics in multi-layer cover systems for mine tailings reclamation using autonomous and remote time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography

Abstract

The dynamics of moisture content in cover systems constructed on mining wastes were monitored at the pilot scale using 2D autonomous, remote, and noninvasive time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography combined with conventional point sensors. A methodology was proposed to process the daily hydrogeophysical datasets from 23 m long instrumented sections of covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBEs) designed to act as oxygen barriers, and covers with low saturated hydraulic conductivity layers (LSHCCs) designed to limit the water infiltration rate. Hydrogeophysical monitoring suggested that CCBEs were able to maintain high degrees of saturation in the moisture-retaining layer throughout the 1 year monitoring period, which would make it an efficient oxygen barrier. Larger spatio-temporal changes in moisture content were observed in LSHCCs and most of the low hydraulic conductivity layers remained below 85% saturation, which was attributed to the combined effect of low precipitation, rapid vegetation development, and water percolation through the cover. The methodology proposed in this pilot-scale ”proof-of-concept” study allowed the hydrogeological behavior of the cover systems to be monitored in the 23 m long instrumented sections using continuous geoelectrical data, which demonstrated that this innovative monitoring technique could be useful for geochemical and geotechnical monitoring programs in large-scale mining waste storage facilities.