Alternative Landfill Covers

Paper Summary:

The paper reviews literature on the subject of landfill covers and shows how conventional techniques are significantly flawed. The paper notes high implementation costs and leaks through the barriers. The paper looks at alternative landfill covers methods like evapotranspiration, geomembranes and anisotropic barriers that direct water away from the landfill site instead of through it. The paper shows how alternative systems are designed to work on a site-specific basis with the local environmental conditions.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Clearly, the issue of waste management in the United States and the world is a significant one. Waste continues to pile higher every year, and landfills are filling up faster than ever (Albright et al. 71). When a landfill reaches its designated capacity, it is sealed and covered. In the past, this has meant the use of rather conventional techniques. Usually, a landfill is lined with compacted clay before even one piece of garbage is dumped there. Then, when the landfill has been filled to capacity, the entire site is covered over. The purpose of all of this engineering is simple: reduce the environmental damage and impact of the site by lessening the degree to which pollutants and contaminants can leach from the site through the introduction of either groundwater or rain."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Albright, William H., Benson, Craig H., Gee, Glendon W., Roesler, Arthur C., and Rock, Steven A. "Examining the Alternatives." Civil Engineering 73.5 (May 2003): 70-75.
• Dwyer, Stephen F. "Alternative Landfill Covers Pass the Test." Civil Engineering 68.9 (Sept. 1998): 50-52.
• Dwyer, Stephen F. "Finding a Better Cover." Civil Engineering 71.1 (Jan. 2001): 58-63.
• Environmental Protection Agency. "Evapotranspiration Landfill Cover Systems Fact Sheet." EPA: Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Sept. 2003. Mar. 2007 <http://www.epa.gov>.
• Hauser, Victor L. "Alternative Landfill Remediation--Ready for Air Force Use." Proceedings, 2003 AFCEE Technology Transfer Workshop. 25 Feb. 2003. Mar. 2007 <http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/products/techtrans/LandfillCovers/Alt_Cover_abst_final_AFCEE.pdf>.

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