Geospatial Mapping of Landfill Impact Zones Using UAV-Based Thermal Imaging

This research looks at the use of thermal imaging with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in spatial analysis, particularly with regard to geospatial mapping and Contour mapping of the noticeable impacts of a landfill within a region of interest. Our objectives are focused toward identifying areas that exhibit elevated subsurface temperatures due to biological decay as well as leachate plume emanation which subsequently results in contamination of the environment. The UAV’s thermal imaging capabilities allow for gathering of high precision thermal metrics which when integrated within controlled GIS environments using spatial modeling and visualization techniques, yield transformative outcomes. Initial results validate the hypothesis that quadcopters with thermal imaging sensors can successfully detect borders and compute the area of landfills with abnormal thermal emissions. Such advanced techniques are non-intrusive and inexpensive, culminating in the new paradigms of monitoring the environment, ensuring that relevant data is available for efficient intervention and remediation of contaminated sites.