SUITABILITY OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS TO WASTE LANDFILLS IN QENA, EGYPT ABBAS M. MANSOUR Geol. Dept., Fac. Sci. South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt Geological investigations have been undertaken of Quaternary sediments, especially sand and gravel quarries in Qena area to assess their suitability as landfill sites. Extremely arid climate, nearly negligible rainfall, low relative humidity and shallow groundwater conditions characterize the area, The old alluvial plain of Quaternary sediments has some desirable characteristics such as availability of suitable soils (wadi deposits, Dandara Shale and Sahaba Formation) for daily cover, construction of the capping and bottom liners of the landfill , a large tract of land for landfilling operation. Its location closes to the cities and villages along the Nile. Based on the geological, hydrogeological, morphological and hydrological conditions of the old alluvial plain, the areas with possible landfill sites were presented on a map, entitled "Potential Areas for Waste Disposal". This map provides a good basis for planners and decision-makers for selecting geoscientifically viable disposal sites for urban waste. Recommendations to minimize the environmental impact of landfill were also presented. .