Re-siting of a landfill.

Abstract

This dissertation will lead us to a study about the re-siting of landfills. The introduction reviews various types of landfills found around the world. Some of them can be either engineered or non-engineered. History regarding true origin of landfills will lead to better understanding of criteria which lead to establishment of a secure landfill: the bottom liner; the leachate collection system; a cover; and the natural hydrogeologic setting. A section of this study is dedicated to the health and environmental effects caused by landfills. Some studies have been carried out to bring out the hazards and illnesses caused when living near a landfill. Both wastes and products create very similar hazards for the environment, wildlife, and humans. A case study was carried out in Romania and Albania to bring out the problems faced by waste mismanagement by both the Romanian and Albanian people. The main reasons and benefits behind landfill remediation are discussed in this project. The challenges that environmental engineers face during landfill remediation and the solution the IUT has to offer for landfill remediation. The four main stages which include: stabilization, mining, sorting, and treatment are discussed fully in this dissertation. This study ends with a discussion on in-situ vitrification in respect to soil and groundwater pollution that is, to turn the soil containing the pollutant into a large block of glass. Thus the pollutant can then be left in place forever encased in the glass. From this technique there are many advantages over other conventional remediation which are more elaborated throughout this study. Landfilling has been used for many years as the most common means for solid waste disposal generated by different communities despite the intensive efforts that are directed to the recycling and recovery of solid wastes, landfills remain and will remain as integral part of most solid waste management.