Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Assessing the Current Condition and Closure Design of Da Mai Landfill (Vietnam)

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills represent a significant environmental challenge, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, leachate contamination, and land degradation, particularly in regions where operational capacities are frequently exceeded. This research introduces an integrated and cost-effective framework that combines unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry with environmental assessment techniques to facilitate landfill closure planning. Utilizing the Da Mai landfill in Vietnam as a case study, high-resolution orthomosaics and a digital surface model (DSM) were generated, achieving a vertical Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 5 cm. Analysis of UAV imagery and terrain data revealed critical operational deficiencies, including uncontrolled waste placement, unstable steep slopes, compromised leachate drainage systems, surface water ponding,

and inadequate daily cover. The landfill's upper section was estimated to contain 229,602 m³ of waste, reaching elevations up to 8.5 m, which surpassed the design limit by 1.5 m. Based on UAV-derived spatial parameters, potential annual greenhouse gas emissions were projected at 62,710 tCO₂e and annual leachate generation at 33,729 m³. These findings underscore the necessity for immediate intervention and closure planning at the observed elevation.

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