Several studies address the development of sampling strategies and implementation of (geo)statistical tools in the study of soil properties. However, there is a lack of studies in the application of such approach to monitor soil covers in closed landfill sites of urban solid waste. This study shows that the sampling density needed to make possible the use of geostatistics in such cases would raise operational costs. The best alternative is the use of multivariate statistics methods (principal components and cluster analysis) to define homogeneous management zones. The soil attributes that best explain the structure of soil variability are sand (or clay) content, base saturation and pH, all related with soil contamination by leachate and with the proper development of vegetation.
urban solid waste; constructed soils; sampling grid; management zones
