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Mechanisms of Leakage through Synthetic Landfill Liner Materials |
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| Authors: | S E BUSS BA MSc DIC GRSC FGS A P BUTLER BSc MSc DIC PhD FRMetS C J SOLLARS BSc MSc DIC PhD R PERRY BSc PhD DSc FEng FICE CChem FRSC FRSH MIWM P M JOHNSTON BSc MSc DIC FGS |
| Affiliation: | Research Student, Lecturer, Assistant Director, and Director, respectively, Centre for Environmental Control and Waste Management, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, UK.;Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Keywords: | Diffusion geomembrane leachate permeation solvents |