Landfill Suitability Site Selection Using Environmental Parameters and Exclusion Zones (Case Study: Dalahu County)

جغرافیا و مخاطرات محیطی

Article 12, Volume 14, Issue 3 - Serial Number 55, September 2025, Pages 235-251   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/geoeh.2025.93006.1564

Authors

Saied Asadollah Hejazi^{* 1}; Zahra Zanganeh Tabar²

¹Associate Professor of Geomorphology University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

²Ph.D. student in Geomorphology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

One of the main contributors to environmental pollution and degradation is household and industrial waste. Therefore, the proper siting of landfill facilities plays a crucial role in controlling and reducing such pollution. Given the importance of this issue, the present study focuses on identifying suitable areas for landfill development in Dalaho County, Kermanshah Province. The research utilizes remote sensing techniques and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. Key datasets used include MODIS, CHIRPS, Google Earth satellite imagery, 1:100,000-scale geological maps, and a 30-meter digital elevation model (DEM). The study employed various software tools, including ArcGIS, IDRISI, Super Decisions, and Google Earth Engine. Ten criteria were considered in the analysis: lithological features, distance from faults, elevation, slope, vegetation density, average annual rainfall, and distance from rivers, main roads, urban areas, and rural areas. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) was used for weighting the parameters, and the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method was applied to integrate the data layers. The results show that approximately 48% of Dalaho County has a high potential for pollution and environmental degradation, indicating that landfill sites should be located away from these areas. Conversely, around 31% of the area has low suitability for landfill development. Ultimately, only a small portion of the region about 8%, demonstrates moderate potential for landfill siting based on the evaluated criteria.
Introduction
The increasing trend of waste generation in recent years has emerged as a significant challenge for urban planners and environmentalists. Waste is one of the main contributors to environmental pollution and degradation, as well as to the spread of various diseases. Therefore, proper planning for waste management and disposal is critically important. One of the key measures in controlling pollution from waste is the appropriate siting of landfill facilities. Site selection based on environmental capabilities is a fundamental principle of urban and regional development planning. Identifying suitable areas for waste disposal plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental pollution and degradation. Different regions possess varying potentials for environmental planning due to their geomorphological, geological, and hydroclimatic conditions. Some areas, influenced by these factors, face significant constraints in accommodating activities such as landfill establishment. Dalaho County, located in Kermanshah Province within the folded Zagros structural zone, is one such region. Due to its geological and climatic characteristics, it contains substantial surface and groundwater resources. Moreover, tectonic activity, numerous faults and fractures, and permeable lithological formations make groundwater highly susceptible to contamination. This highlights the importance of accurately identifying suitable areas for landfill siting in the region. Accordingly, this study aims to determine potential landfill sites in Dalaho County.
Material and Methods
This study employed remote sensing methods to identify areas suitable for landfill siting in Dalaho County using ten key parameters: lithology, distance from faults, elevation, slope, vegetation density, average annual rainfall, distance from rivers, main roads, urban areas, and rural areas. To prepare lithology and fault maps, 1:100,000-scale digital geological maps from the National Geological Organization were used, while a 30-meter SRTM digital elevation model provided data on elevation, slope, and river networks. Google Earth Engine, along with MODIS and CHIRPS satellite imagery, was employed to generate maps of vegetation density and annual precipitation, and Google Earth images were used to identify urban areas and main roads. The analysis utilized several software tools, including ArcGIS (for fuzzification of data layers and map generation), Google Earth Engine (for vegetation and rainfall mapping), IDRISI (for implementing the Weighted Linear Combination, or WLC, model), and Super Decisions (for applying the Analytic Network Process, or ANP). The research was conducted in multiple stages: first, data layers were prepared and standardized (fuzzified); second, the layers were weighted using the ANP model; and finally, the integrated WLC-ANP model was applied to identify landfill-susceptible areas in Dalaho County.
Discussion and Results
Certain areas in the region possess high environmental and ecological value or are highly vulnerable to pollution, necessitating their exclusion from landfill siting. Therefore, based on environmental status, a literature review, and expert consultation, a restricted areas map was developed. This included buffer zones around rivers, urban areas, Azadi Dam Lake, faults, and regions with dense vegetation. The analysis showed that large portions of Dalaho County are unsuitable for waste disposal due to lithological, topographical, and hydrological constraints. In general, the eastern and southern parts of the county showed relatively higher potential for landfill development, whereas the central, western, and northern areas faced more significant limitations.
Conclusion
The natural characteristics of Dalaho County render it highly vulnerable to environmental pollution, making landfill site selection particularly sensitive. This study applied an integrated WLC-ANP model to identify areas suitable for landfilling. Results indicate that approximately 48% of the county, comprising areas within 500 meters of rivers, 1 km from fault lines, 3 km from urban centers, 2 km from Azadi Dam Lake, and regions with dense vegetation, is highly susceptible to pollution and should be excluded from landfill development. About 31% of the area, primarily located in the western and northern regions, was classified as having low to very low suitability for landfill siting due to factors such as steep slopes, high elevations, fault proximity, and unsuitable lithology. Only around 8% of the county, located mainly in the eastern and southern regions, showed moderate potential for landfill establishment. Overall, the study emphasizes that Dalaho County’s natural setting, particularly its hydrogeomorphological features, must be carefully considered when planning waste disposal facilities. Proper site selection can play a vital role in preventing environmental degradation and protecting groundwater resources.

Keywords

Landfill Site Selection; GIS and Remote Sensing; MCDM; MSW; Dalaho County

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