This study addresses the environmental challenges posed by consumerism, evaluating the impact of Degradation-Resistant Organic Compounds (DROCs), such as fats and oils, on surface environments, the subsurface, groundwater, and aquifers. Climate variability has intensified the dispersion of these compounds, particularly in open landfills and poorly managed sites, making it urgent to identify affected areas to plan remediation efforts and mitigate their effects on ecosystems and human health. The objective was to analyze the dispersion of DROCs in an abandoned landfill in northwestern Mexico and develop strategies to characterize the decomposition stages of these compounds. In 2021 and 2022, a two-dimensional geoelectric tomography (GT) was conducted using a SARIS-Scintrex resistivimeter, recording variations in the apparent resistivity of subsoil. Using resistivity measures, the progressive and regressive numerical interpolation of Newton for finite differences, combined with the Lévy-type diffusion operator, classified the invasion areas into three principal ranges: high (recent invasions), intermediate (transition phase), and low (mature invasions).. These ranges indicated how pollutants migrate from the surface to the saturated zones of the aquifer. To validate the presence of fats and oils, a 24-m-deep well was drilled, revealing a positive correlation (R² = 0.863) between the areas covered by the tomograms and the detected contaminants. The results emphasize the need for improved waste management and the careful selection of disposal sites to reduce environmental degradation. The methodology proved effective and rapid, facilitating remediation planning and highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in final disposal to mitigate the impacts of DROCs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect public and environmental health.

To address the complex challenges posed by climate change and its effects on surface environments, subsoil, and groundwater, evaluating the impacts of Degradation-Resistant Organic Compounds (DROCs), such as fats and oils, is crucial. Increasing variability in temperature and precipitation has exacerbated DROC dispersal, particularly near open dumps and poorly managed landfills. As a global pollution issue, DROC’s pervasive and persistent nature requires urgent attention. This study aims to develop and implement effective strategies to detect and describe the stages of DROC decomposition. Identifying sites where DROCs are trapped and their dispersion can facilitate planning remediation efforts and mitigating adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The study focuses on evaluating DROCs’ annual spatiotemporal distribution, improving waste management practices, monitoring the subsoil, and implementing remediation strategies. DROCs persist through various stages in groundwater, making effective detection methodologies essential. Continuous monitoring, subsoil characterization, and diverse climatic observations are necessary, especially in areas with improper landfill selection. Poor waste management contributes significantly to DROC pollution, exacerbated by current consumerism and increasing waste. The research highlights the importance of improving waste management practices and judiciously selecting landfill sites to prevent further degradation. Apparent resistivity variations in the subsoil, linked to DROC dispersal, are analyzed to map affected areas and understand propagation under different environmental conditions. New tools and methodologies aim to enhance DROC monitoring and remediation strategies. Adopting sustainable waste management practices and carefully selecting disposal sites is essential to mitigating DROC’s impacts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting environmental and public health. Addressing risks associated with excessive consumption, inadequate waste management, and poor landfill selection is crucial for restoring ecosystem resilience and environmental protection.