Increasing contamination of groundwater by industrially treated waste can represent a serious threat to prime sources of drinking water throughout the world. Containing the latest research on the risks of contamination over time, this book provides a scientific case for more sustainable landfill construction - with implications for waste management legislation as well as engineering practice.
Examining each of the main stages of landfill decomposition and using extensive real-scale testing, the book provides a new method for measuring the extent to which groundwater and surface water may safely remain in landfill and the associated risks of contamination.
The authors also offer practical suggestions for developing more sustainable and affordable waste management projects. The coverage includes: long term real-scale tests of landfills; reducing risks to groundwater from old landfills; aerobic treatment of landfill; aeration and excavation; protection of drinking water; and guidance on developing affordable waste management projects.
Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Scientific institutions and their research groups to investigate waste bodies
Dimensions, symbols and abbreviations
Introduction
1 Object and concept of the research project
2 Central test facility and test procedure
3 Characterisation of long-term effects using physical measurements on water and solids balance
4 Detection of water movements, evaporation processes and water regeneration using environmental isotopes 2H and 18O
5 Characterisation of flow path emissions using waste-water parameters
6 Transportation of industrial contamination in the flow path
7 Microbiological investigations to characterise stabilisation processes in landfills
8 Checking biochemical stability using reactivation measures on selected deposits
9 Testing the material stability of soil-like substances and plastics concerning reactivation
10 Establishing the long-term effects using the relationship of the test results
11 Application of the results to waste management practice and drinking water protection
References