Redox Effects on Heavy Metal Attenuation in Landfill Clay Liner

Landfill leachate is characterized by high organic compounds that can be used by microorganisms as nutrients and induce a series of redox reactions. Thus, redox potential as well as pH is considered to have an effect on the behavior of contaminants in leachate from landfill sites. Modified batch tests, cultivating the native microorganisms in soil specimens, were conducted to evaluate the bacteria-induced redox and pH effects on the natural attenuation mechanisms of heavy metal in the bottom clay liner of landfills. The marine clay sampled from Osaka Bay, Japan was used as a natural clay liner material due to the consideration that some of the solid waste landfill sites in Japan are located in coastal areas. Iron and zinc were selected as target pollutants.Test results show that both pH and redox potential indicated a combined effect on the solubility of zinc and iron. Under the denitrification and Fe(III) reduction conditions, zinc was soluble and its solubility was only controlled by pH. When pH increased higher than 7.2, zinc precipitated as hydroxides and adsorbed on soil particle surfaces. Under the sulfate reduction condition, the formation of zinc sulfides became another attenuation mechanism. Iron was insoluble under the aerobic and denitrification conditions in natural pH conditions. Elevated levels of soluble iron were observed in moderately reduced and highly reduced conditions. A combination of nearly neutral pH and extremely low redox potential condition in landfill site tends to promote the insolubilization of zinc but the solubilization of iron.     

Hydraulic Conductivity of Nonprehydrated Geosynthetic Clay Liners Permeated with Inorganic Solutions and Waste Leachates

To investigate systematically the effects of electrolytic solutions on the barrier performance of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), a long-term hydraulic conductivity test for 3 years at longest was conducted on a nonprehydrated GCL permeated with inorganic chemical solutions. The hydraulic conductivity test for waste leachates was also conducted. The results of the test show that the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs significantly correlates with the swelling capacity of bentonite contained in GCLs. GCLs have excellent barrier performance of k<1.0×10^-8 cm/s when the free swell is larger than 15 mL/2 g-solid regardless of the type and concentration of the permeant solution. In addition, when the results of the hydraulic conductivity test with chemical inorganic solutions were compared to those with waste leachates, the hydraulic conductivity of GCL permeated with chemical solution was almost the same within the electric conductivity of 0-25 S/m as that permeated with waste leachate having similar electric conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity of GCLs to be used in landfill bottom liners can be estimated by the hydraulic conductivity values obtained from the experiment using chemical solutions having the similar electric conductivity values, if the chemical solution had the electric conductivity within=25 S/m.     

Preliminary results of composite liner field performance study

This paper presents preliminary results of a study of the field performance of composite liners. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ability of composite liners to contain municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate. The paper presents data for double-lined MSW landfills having composite top liners consisting of a geomembrane (GMB) upper component and a compacted clay liner (CCL) lower component. Data on flow volumes and flow constituents for the leachate collection and removal system (LCRS) and the leakage detection system (LDS) components of the double liner system are analyzed to assess whether leakage has occurred through the composite top liner. Data for nine MSW landfill cells with monitoring periods of up to eight years are presented. Preliminary results indicate that the nine composite liners are performing well and are effective in containing MSW leachate.     

垃圾填埋场渗沥液水位壅高及工程控制

 我国垃圾填埋场渗沥液水位普遍壅高,严重影响安全运行。测试和总结垃圾的持水特性、饱和渗透系数以及渗沥液导排层渗透和淤堵特性。通过数值分析,揭示垃圾初始含水率、持水特性以及垃圾和导排层渗透系数对填埋场水位的影响规律。结果表明,垃圾饱和渗透系数随深度和龄期减小、导排层淤堵、垃圾初始含水率高导致水位明显壅高;而垃圾饱和渗透系数较小时,堆体内易形成局部滞水。结合实际工程,验证数值模拟结果,提出并实施水位壅高控制的工程措施,效果十分显著。     

溶液作用下黏土的界限含水率及渗透试验

黏性土的界限含水率是用于土的分类和评价的重要指标,并可能与渗透系数等参数具有一定的相关性,但溶液作用下界限含水率的变化规律没有一致的结论。选取填埋场渗滤液中的几种代表性溶液,对0~15%含量的膨润土改性黏土的界限含水率及渗透性进行了试验。研究发现,CaCl₂溶液和乙酸溶液具有絮凝作用,使高液限黏土变为高液限粉土;膨润土改性黏土的液限和塑性指数与膨润土掺入量正相关;改性黏土的液限随CaCl₂溶液浓度的增大而减小;渗透系数与液限之间没有显著相关性,溶液作用下土的渗透性能还需要深入研究。     

The Stability of the Oxford Clay as a Mineral Liner for Landfill

The paper discusses the mineralogical and chemical stability of the Oxford Clay as a landfill liner for the containment of domestic waste. The results from a series of batch equilibrium experiments with the mudrock and a synthetic leachate are compared with samples of a liner cored from a 15-year-old site in the Formation. The effects of leachate on the Clay include mineral dissolution, exchange of cations, particle-size reduction and collapse of illite-smectite. In situ mixed-assemblage mineral liners, such as the Oxford Clay, are capable of attenuating leachate components and buffering acid leachates whilst the predominant clay minerals, i.e. illite and kaolinite, remain stable. Alterations to the mineralogy and chemistry of the samples resulting from both short-term and long-term exposure to leachate are discussed with reference to the implications to landfill practice.     

Cesium-adsorption capacity and hydraulic conductivity of sealing geomaterial made with marine clay,bentonite, and zeolite

Great amounts of soil and waste contaminated with radioactive cesium have been generated due to the decontamination work after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The aim of this study is to develop a sealing geomaterial for use at the disposal facilities of the soil and waste constructed in the maritime environment. The geomaterial consists of marine clay, bentonite, and zeolite. The hydraulic conductivity and cesium-adsorption performance of the geomaterial were examined through laboratory tests with different proportions of bentonite and zeolite added to marine clay. It was concluded that the hydraulic conductivity could be reduced to the required level by increasing the amount of bentonite and that the cesium-adsorption capacity could be enhanced by increasing the amount of zeolite.     

Mechanisms of Leakage through Synthetic Landfill Liner Materials

The introduction of synthetic lining materials for leachate containment and the prevention of groundwater contamination was an important development in landfill technology. These materials have a low hydraulic conductivity which results in minimal leachate release by bulk fluid flow (advection) provided that the barrier (and its construction) is free from defects. However, the effectiveness of these materials as barriers cannot be confirmed unless contaminant release by diffusion is also taken into consideration.
This paper reviews the mechanisms by which transport through barriers occur. It highlights the role of diffusion as a pathway for organic compounds to migrate through synthetic liners and indicates its importance in terms of environmental impact and landfill design.     

Monitoring of bacterial community changes in leachate and wetland soil using T‐RFLP analysis

The removal of toxic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW) can be carried out within both bioreactors and constructed wetlands. In this study, the microbial community was analysed to monitor populations related to leachate. Wetland soil samples of two landfill sites were analysed and the microbial communities were compared during organic matter removal processes. The extracted DNA was amplified using FAM63F and HEX518R primers and T‐RFLP analysis was carried on with AluI digested terminal fragments. The bacterial populations of the wetland soil from Bury and Beccles landfill sites were absolutely dissimilar in the beginning of the treatment processes. But after four weeks of treatment the similarity was 45%. These community shifts can explain the effect of leachate on bacterial population. The T‐RFLP electropherograms indicated that the bacterial population of the bioreactor was very similar to the constructed wetland’s population in recent samples. The similarity within both sites might increase as the treatment process continues.     

Chemical interaction and hydraulic performance of geosynthetic clay liners isothermally hydrated from silty sand subgrade

The effects of the silt aggregation, compaction density, and water content of the subgrade on the hydration of five different geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) products is reported based on a series of laboratory column experiments conducted over a six-year period. GCLs meeting typical specifications in terms of minimum hydraulic conductivity and swell index are hydrated to equilibrium from the same subgrade soil with sufficient cations to cause cation exchange during hydration. It is then shown that the GCL bentonite granularity and GCL structure can have a significant (~four orders of magnitude) effect on hydraulic conductivity under the same test conditions (from 8 × 10⁻¹² m/s for one GCL to 6 × 10⁻⁸ m/s for another GCL product). The effect of subgrade water content on the hydraulic performance of GCLs are not self-evident and quite dependent on the bentonite granularity, GCL structure, and permeant. Varying the subgrade water content from 5 to 16% and allowing the GCL to hydrate to equilibrium before permeation led to up to 5-fold difference in hydraulic conductivity when permeated with tap water and up to 60-fold difference when the same product is permeated with synthetic municipal solid waste leachate. When permeated with synthetic leachate, increasing stress from 70 kPa to 150 kPa led to a slight (average 37%; maximum 2.7-fold) decrease in hydraulic conductivity due to a decrease in bulk void ratio. It is shown that hydraulic conductivity is lower for GCLs with a scrim-reinforced geotextile, and/or with finer bentonite. It is shown that selecting a GCL based on the initial hydraulic conductivity and swell index in a manufacturers product sheet provides no assurance of good performance in field applications and it is recommended that designers pay more attention to selection of a GCL and preparation of the subgrade for important projects.     

具有裂隙的压实黏土衬垫污染物迁移参数研究

压实黏土衬垫中裂隙的存在缩短了渗滤液击穿屏障的时间,减少了衬垫的服役时间。获得污染物沿裂隙迁移的参数,用于预测具有裂隙的压实黏土衬垫被渗滤液击穿的时间,对于防污屏障性能的评价具有重要的意义。采用不同孔隙率的砂模拟压实黏土中的裂隙,通过室内土柱实验分别获得Cl-在裂隙中的分子扩散系数和水动力扩散系数。试验结果表明,当裂隙开度d≥15 mm时,裂隙中Cl-的分子扩散系数与其在纯水中的分子扩散系数基本一致;当d15 mm时,分子扩散系数随裂隙宽度成指数下降。裂隙的水动力扩散系数约比分子扩散系数大3个数量级,当裂隙开度d≥10mm时,在不同水力梯度情况下,裂隙的水动力扩散系数基本维持不变,数值上与采用纯砂所获得的水动力弥散系数基本一致;当水力梯度i≥0.2时,水动力弥散系数的变化基本趋于稳定,不再受到裂隙宽度的影响。     

Landfill Lining for Leachate Containment

There is an increasing need for engineered liners to prevent the escape of leachate and to control the migration of landfill gas. This has been influenced by new European and UK legislation and codes of practice.
General principles of site design are explained, followed by a review of the advantages and disadvantages of different liner systems, including mineral liners (natural clay, mudrocks and soil/bentonite admixtures), geomembranes and composite liners.
The need for conservative factors of safety in site design and high standards of quality control, involving full-time supervision and independent certification of the installation works, are considered essential to ensure the effectiveness of the barrier.
There is no one ideal liner material. Composite mineral/geomembrane liners provide the highest degree of security against leakage and, as such, should be considered as 'the norm'rather than for use only in particularly high-risk situations.     

The potential role of geosynthetic clay liners in mine water treatment systems

Combined passive treatment technologies have been used to treat acidic rock drainage (ARD), the well-known acute and costly environmental problem facing the mining industry. It is shown that geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) were able to attenuate metals from lime treated ARD water, and maintain a neutral pH and low hydraulic conductivity (less than 4.0 × 10⁻11 m/s) after 16 pore volumes of permeation; this implies their usefulness as a potentially significant component in combined passive treatment systems. Presented are laboratory breakthrough data for Cu, Cd, Ni, Mn, and Zn from the permeation of GCLs with 16 pore volumes of ARD, treated ARD (TARD), and a landfill leachate. Metal retention occurred in all solutions, but was greatest for the TARD, producing removal efficiencies of greater than 80%.     

The effects of reduction of the deposited waste on short‐term landfill leachate composition of a landfill: a case study in Norway

Municipal solid waste landfill leachate was sampled over from a landfill receiving varying amounts of municipal solid waste. The investigation aimed to provide information on expected leachate changes in the short term, either after closure of an active landfill, or after a strong decline in the amount of waste deposited at smaller landfills. It was found that during a two year period following a sudden decline in the amount of waste deposited, the levels of various chemical and physical parameters all dropped sharply. The reasons for the decline in discharge levels are thought to be aerobic decomposition taking place in the municipal solid waste just after landfilling, and thus the decline in the impact of this process when there were less fresh waste masses available, and formation of preferential flow paths for the leachate as the municipal solid waste stabilized in the landfill.     

Contaminant mitigating performance of Chinese standard municipal solid waste landfill liner systems

In 2004, Chinese Government prescribed standard municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill bottom liners. However, very limited research has been conducted to evaluate the performance of the standard MSW landfill bottom liners prescribed by the Chinese Government. In this paper, the performance of the two types of Chinese MSW landfill bottom liner systems was evaluated based on: (1) the maximum leachate head; (2) leakage rate; (3) peak concentration of the target contaminant in an aquifer which was underlain the assumed landfill, and (4) total mass per unit area of the target contaminant discharged into the aquifer. The performance of the German standard MSW landfill bottom liner system was evaluated and compared with that of Chinese ones. It is found that the calculated maximum leachate head for the Chinese landfill liner systems was much higher than that for the German one. The calculated leakage rate, peak concentration and the maximum total mass per unit area in the aquifer of the target contaminant show that the performance of the Chinese standard landfill liner Type 2 is practically the same as that of the German standard landfill liner with holed geomembrane wrinkles, while the Chinese standard liner Type 1 is less effective, with regarding the mitigation of the impact of landfills to the groundwater quality. It is concluded that the overall performance of the Chinese standard landfill liner systems is less strict than that of the German standard landfill liner system.     

垃圾体渗透性试验及填埋场水文分析研究

探讨了城市生活垃圾水力学参数的实验测试方法,设计并制作了一套实验装置,对在不同压力条件下填埋体的渗透系数进行了实验测试。通过对实验结果的拟合分析,阐述了垃圾体渗透系数随孔隙比变化的规律。采用美国环保署的HELP模型,利用垃圾体在不同压力条件下的渗透试验结果,对填埋场进行了水体平衡分析。结果表明压力场对填埋场水文状况的影响不容忽略。     

Reactivity of aluminium potline waste components with lateritized clay and geotechnical significance for a landfill at Wallaroo,New South Wales,Australia

The Aluminium Industry in the U.S.A. and Australia is making considerable efforts to develop treatment systems for certain solid wastes generated during the refining of aluminium. To date, there are few satisfactory long term alternatives to a secure landfill for disposal of these materials. Studies at Wallaroo in Australia have found anin situ Tertiary weathering profile in Permian rocks that has some useful characteristics for landfill disposal. Since Oligocene-Miocene times, the rocks have been strongly and deeply weathered to clay that has a low permeability. The clays are mainly kaolinite and iron minerals with lesser amounts of gibbsite, minor chlorite, interstratified mineral and montmorillonite. The minerals are in chemical equilibrium with the groundwaters found in the weathering profile. The effects of leachable fluoride and sodium and the high pH on the acidic clay have been studied in batch tests. Distribution coefficients and maximum adsorption capacities from batch and core tests have been measured. High concentrations of sodium and fluoride (important leachate component) have also been passed through a compacted clay core to study effects on permeability. Decreases in permeability and true flow velocity of the NaF water compared with deionized water have been observed. The results are related to internal swelling, dispersion and consolidation characteristics. The effects of the chemical processes on likely long-term permeability of clay liners and clay weathering products have been assessed. Leachate from potlining waste has been reacted with the clay and found to form a new mineral phase that is expected to further reduce permeability. No adverse effects have been observed.     

Removal of ammoniacal nitrogen from landfill leachate by irrigation onto vegetated treatment planes.

Leachate is a contaminated liquor resulting from the disposal of solid and liquid wastes at landfill sites that must be treated before discharge. Vegetated leachate treatment planes have been used at landfill sites in the UK but have received little scientific attention. This paper describes studies of model leachate treatment planes with a focus on the removal of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N). Small-scale and field-scale experimental treatment planes were constructed. filled with clay loam soil and vegetated with grass (Agrostis stolonifera). Landfill leachate was applied at hydraulic loading rates ranging from 17-217l/m2/d. An exponential relationship was used to characterise the pattern of NH3-N removal. No relationship was observed between the hydraulic loading rate and the NH3-N removal rate constants (R2 = 0.0039). The daily specific NH3-N mass removal rate was found to be linearly related to the NH3-N concentration at the start of that day of treatment (R2 = 0.35). Possible causes of variation in the rate of NH3-N removal between experiments are discussed. A simple inorganic nitrogen balance indicated that the mass of N-H3-N and NO2-N removed was not accounted for by NO3-N production. Explanations for this apparent nitrogen deficit are discussed.     

我国城市垃圾渗滤液处理的技术及现状

在简要介绍我国城市垃圾处理的发展历史与现状后，针对国内应用最为广泛的城市垃圾卫生填埋场所产生的垃圾渗滤液处理技术进行了大量的调查、类比工作，并结合国内的多个工程实例总结出我国目前垃圾渗滤液处理的现状．     

Hydro-mechanical behavior of a lateritic fiber-soil composite as a waste containment liner

In waste disposal landfill projects, the hydraulic conductivity of the barriers is a major consideration. The use of fibers mixed with backfill may improve the overall performance of the barriers. Fiber-soil composites show a more resistant and ductile behavior than the soil alone. The presence of fibers may reduce cracking problems related to shrinkage or traction in liners or covers. In this study, laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the use of fiber-soil composites as a containing barrier. Hydraulic conductivity and diametral-compression tests were carried out on PET fiber reinforced and unreinforced compacted soil specimens. The tests were conducted under confinement conditions similar to those found in the field. Diametral-compression tests were used to induce cracks in the specimens. Hydraulic conductivity was measured at different stages during the diametral loading. In the tests performed under low confinement pressure (10?kPa), the crack openings led to a significant increase in hydraulic conductivity. The results showed that the addition of fibers increases the tensile strength of the soil-fiber mass and delays the opening of cracks. Moreover, in the tests under high confinement pressure (100?kPa), a decrease in hydraulic conductivity occurred at all stages of the diametral load application.