REGULATION 2019 ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023

IFET COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(An Autonomous Institution)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

19UCEPE702-HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

Year/Sem : IV / VII Pattern: Theory: 100%

APPLICATIONS SOLVED
SYLLABUS:
Hazardous waste landfills - Site selections - landfill design and operation - Regulatory aspects - Liner System
- Cover system - Leachate Collection and Management - Environmental Monitoring System - Landfill Closure
and post closure care.
Part A (2 Marks)
6. Suggest sorbents used to treat the liquid hazardous waste landfill?

In order to dispose of the sorbents used to treat free liquids in a hazardous waste landfill, the sorbent must be
nonbiodegradable.

• Inorganic minerals, other inorganic materials, and elemental carbon

• High molecular weight synthetic polymers, except for polymers derived from biological material or
polymers specifically designed to be degradable
• Mixtures of nonbiodegradable materials.)

16. Give the parameters for site consideration under EIA?

(i) Earmarking a 'search area' taking into account the location of the waste generation units and a
'search radius' (typically 5 to 250 km). The search area will be so chosen that it minimizes the
number of HW landfills in any region or state.
(ii) Identification of a list of potential sites on the basis
(iii) Collection of preliminary data
(iv) Assessment of public perception for the two sites.
(v) (vii) Selection of final site.

17. Illustrate the essential components required for landfill design?

(a) A liner system at the base and sides of the landfill which prevents migration of leachate or gas to the
surrounding soil.
(b) A leachate collection and treatment facility, which collects and extracts leachate from within and from the
base of the landfill and then treats the leachate to meet standards, notified under E(P)Act 1986.
(c) A gas collection and treatment facility (optional) which collects and extracts gas from within and from the
top of the landfill and then treats it or uses it for energy recovery.
(d) A final cover system at the top of the landfill, which enhances surface drainage, prevents infiltration of
water and supports surface vegetation.
(e) A surface water drainage system, which collects and removes all surface runoff from the landfill site.
(f) An environmental monitoring system which periodically collects and analyses air, surface water, soil-gas
(optional) and ground water samples around the landfill site.
(g) A closure and post-closure plan which lists the steps that must be taken to close and secure a landfill site
once the filling operation has been completed and the activities for long-term monitoring operation and
maintenance of the completed landfill.

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18. Point out the facilities required for landfill layout?

The following facilities must be located in the layout: (a) access roads; (b) equipment shelters, (c) weighing
scales; (d) office space; (e) location of waste inspection facility (if used); (f) temporary waste storage and/or
disposal sites for special wastes; (g) demarcation of the landfill areas and areas for stockpiling cover material
and liner material; (h) location of surface water drainage facilities; (i) location of landfill leachate management
facilities; (j) location of gas management facilities (optional): (k) location of monitoring wells/environmental
monitoring facilities, (1) fencing and green belt along the peripheral boundary and (m) emergency exit.

20. List out the components of liner system?

• Clay
• Geomembranes
• Geonet
• Geosynthetic Clay Liner
• Geotextiles

23. Explain the term geonet in leachate collection system?

A geonet is a plastic net-like drainage blanket which may be used in landfill liners in place of sand or gravel
for the leachate collection layer. Sand and gravel are usually used due to cost considerations, and because
geonets are more susceptible to clogging by small particles. This clogging would impair the performance of the
leach-ate collection system. Geonets do, however, convey liquid more rapidly than sand and gravel.

25. Summarize the solvent permeation in leakage of landfill liner system?

This is the problem associated with permeation of the liner by various types of organic solvents. Common
organic solvents that are present in municipal solid wastes and in treated hazardous waste residues such as
the chlorinated solvents, benzene, TCE and its degradation products such as vinyl chloride, etc., can pass
through an intact, with no holes, flexible membrane liner in a short period of time. This is a chemical process
that does not cause the liner to deteriorate, but involves the diffusion of the organics into the plastic sheeting
and then through the plastic sheeting into the media on the other side of the plastic sheeting which typically
is the compacted clay layer.

30. Figure out the design of components under leachate collection?

The design of following components should be undertaken:
(a) leachate pipe and leachate trench network
(b) leachate sumps and pumps
(c) leachate wells/side slope riser
(d) leachate holding tank
(e) backwashing/backflushing arrangement to prevent clogging/choking/head loss.

32. Point out the onsite treatment methods for leachate management?
This involves complete treatment of the leachate at the landfill site to meet discharge standards for lined drains.
Treatment processes may be
• Biological process
• Chemical process
• Physical process.
33. List out the beneficial effects of recirculation in leachate management?
One of the methods for treatment of leachate is to recirculate it through the landfill. This has two beneficial
effects: (i) the process of landfill stabilization is accelerated and (ii) the constituents of the leachate are

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attenuated by the biological. chemical and physical changes occurring with the landfill Recirculation of a
leachate requires the design of a distribution system to ensure that the leachate passes uniformly throughout
the entire waste.

37. Figure out the components of post closure plan?

• Plan for vegetative stabilization of the final landfill cover and side slopes
• Plan for management of surface water run-off with an effective drainage system.
• Plan for periodical inspection and maintenance of landfill cover and facilities.
• Plan for post-closure management of leachate and gas
• Plan for post-closure environment monitoring.

38. Point out the components of final cover system?

• Top soil
• Protection layer
• Drainage layer
• Barrier layer
• Gas collection layer

39. List out the monitoring objectives for environmental monitoring system?
• Evaluation of remedy effectiveness and protection of human health and the environment;
• Evaluation of contaminant migration;
• Evaluation of effectiveness of habitat mitigation; or
• Compliance with regulatory requirements.

Part B (16 Marks)

2. Explore the site selection process of hazardous waste landfill? (16)

Hazardous waste landfills should preferably be located in areas of low population density, low alternative land
use value, low ground water contamination potential and at sites having high clay content in the subsoil.
A HW landfill will be selected following the guidelines published by MoEF The step-by-step procedure will
be as follows:
(vi) Earmarking a 'search area' taking into account the location of the waste generation units and a
'search radius' (typically 5 to 250 km). The search area will be so chosen that it minimizes the
number of HW landfills in any region or state.
(vii) Identification of a list of potential sites on the basis of
(a) availability of land
(b) collection of preliminary data
(c) restrictions listed in the locational criteria
(viii) Collection of preliminary data as follows:

(a) Topographic Maps: A topographic map will help find sites that are not on natural surface water drains or
flood plains. Topographical maps may be procured from Survey of India.

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(b) Soil Maps: These maps, primarily meant for agricultural use, will show the types of soil near the surface.
They are of limited use as they do not show types of soil a few metre below the surface. They may be procured
from Indian Agricultural Research Institute

(c) Land Use Plans: These plans are useful in delineating areas with definite zoning restrictions. There may
be restrictions on the use of agricultural land or on the use of forest land for landfill purposes. Such maps are
available with the Town Planning Authority or the Municipality

(d) Transportation Maps: These maps, which indicate roads and railways and locations of airports, are used to
determine the transportation needs in developing a site.
(e) Water Use Plans: Such maps are usually not readily available. A plan indicating the following items should
be developed private and public tube wells indicating the capacity of each well, major and minor drinking
water supply line(s), water intake wells located on surface water bodies, and open wells.

(f) Flood Plain Maps: These maps are used to delineate areas that are within a 100-year flood plain. Landfill
siting must be avoided within the flood plains of major rivers.

(g) Geologic Maps: These maps will indicate geologic features and bedrock levels. A general idea about soil
type can be developed from a geological map. Such maps can be procured from Geological Survey of India.

(h) Aerial Photographs / Satellite Imagery Aerial photographs or satellite imageries may not exist for the entire
search area. However, such information may prove to be extremely helpful. Surface features such as small
lakes. intermittent stream beds and current land use, which may not have been identified in earlier map
searches, can be easily identified using aerial photographs.

(i) Ground Water Maps Ground water contour maps are available in various regions which indicate the depth
to ground water below the land surface as well as regional ground water flow patterns. Such maps should be
collected from Ground water Boards or Minor Irrigation Tube well Corporations.

(j) Rainfall Data: The monthly rainfall data for the region should be collected from the Indian Meteorological
Department.

(k) Wind Map: The predominant wind direction and velocities should be collected from the Indian
Meteorological Department.

(l) Seismic Data: The seismic activity of a region is an important input in the design of landfills. Seismic
coefficients are earmarked for various seismic zones and these can be obtained from the relevant BIS code or
from the Indian Meteorological Department.

(m) Site Walk Over and Establishment of Ground Truths A site reconnaissance will be conducted by a site
walk-over as a part of the preliminary data collection. All features observed in various maps will be confirmed.
Additional information pertaining to the following will be ascertained from nearby inhabitants: (a) flooding

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during monsoons; (b) soil type; (c) depth to G.W. table (as observed open wells or tube wells); (d) quality of
groundwater and (e) depth to bedrock.
(n) Preliminary Boreholes and Geophysical Investigation: At each site, as a part of preliminary data collection,
one to two boreholes will be drilled and samples collected at every 1.5m interval to a depth of 20m below the
ground surface. The following information will be obtained: (i) soil type and stratification; (ii) permeability
of each strata; (iii) strength and compressibility parameters (optional); (iv) ground water level and quality and
(v) depth to bedrock. In addition to preliminary boreholes, geophysical investigations (electrical
resistivity/seismic refraction/others) may be undertaken to assess the quality of bedrock at different sites.
(iv) Selection of two best ranked sites from amongst the list of potential sites on the basis of the ranking system
stipulated by MoEF (1991).

Environmental Impact Assessment for the two sites for the following parameters:
(a)ground water quality: (b) surface water quality. (c) air quality - gases, dust, litter, odour; (d) land use
alteration; drainage alteration; (f) soil erosion; (g) ecological impacts (h) noise; (i) aesthetics - visual, vermin,
flies; (j) traffic alteration; and (k) others.
(vi) Assessment of public perception for the two sites.
(vii) Selection of final site.
(viii)The above site selection procedure shall not be applicable for location of facility within industrial areas
of State Industrial Development Agencies. However, EIA requirement will apply.

5. Discuss about the liner systems in secured landfill? (16)

Leachate control within a landfill involves the following steps: (a) prevention of migration of leachate from
landfill sides and landfill base to the subsoil by a suitable liner system; and (b) drainage of leachate collected
at the base of a landfill to the side of the landfill and removal of the leachate from within the landfill.
On a basis of review of liner systems adopted in different countries and in consideration with Indian
conditions, it is recommended that for all HW landfills the liner system criteria adopted in consultation with
SPCB/PCC and commensurate with local area specified needs.
Introduction
Modern landfills are highly engineered containment systems, designed to minimize the impact of solid waste
(refuse, trash, and garbage) on the environment and hu- man health. In modern landfills, the waste is contained
by a liner system. The primary purpose of the liner system is to isolate the landfill contents from the
environment and, therefore, to protect the soil and ground water from pollution originating in the landfill. The
greatest threat to ground water posed by modern landfills is leachate. Leachate consists of water and water-
soluble compounds in the refuse that accumulate as water moves through the landfill. This water may be from
rainfallor from the waste itself. Leachate may migrate from the landfill and contaminate soil and ground water,
thus presenting a risk to human and environmental health. Landfill liners are designed and constructed to
create a barrier between the waste and the environment and to drain the leachate to collection and treatment
facilities. This is done to prevent the uncontrolled release of leachate into the environment.
Society produces many different solid wastes that pose different threats to the environment and to
community health. Different disposal sites are available for these different types of waste. The potential threat
posed by the waste determines the type of liner system required for each type of landfill. Liners may be
described as single (also referred to as simple), composite, or double liners.

Single-Liner Systems
Single liners consistofa clay liner, a geosyntheticclay liner, or a geomembrane (specialized plastic sheeting). Single

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liners are sometimes used in landfills designed to hold construction and demolition debris (C&DD).
Construction and demolition debris results from build- ing and demolition activities and includes concrete,
asphalt, shingles, wood, bricks, and glass. The design and operation of C&DD landfills are regulated under
the OhioAdministrative Code (OAC). Licensingrequirements are addressed under OAC. These landfills are not
constructed to contain paint, liquid tar, municipal garbage, or treated lumber; consequently, single-liner
systems are usually adequate to protect the environment. It is cheaper to dispose of construction materials in
a C&DD landfill than in a municipal solid waste landfill because C&DD landfills use only a single liner and
are therefore cheaper to build and maintain thanother landfills.

Figure 3.3. Single liner system

Composite-Liner Systems
A composite liner consists of a geomembrane in combi- nation with a clay liner. Composite-liner systems are
more effective at limiting leachate migration into the subsoil than either a clay liner or a single geomembrane
layer. Composite liners are required in waste landfills.
Municipal solid waste landfills contain waste collected from residential, commercial, and industrial sources.
These landfills may also accept C&DD debris, but not hazardous waste. Municipal solid waste landfill design,
construction, and operation are regulated by Subtitle D of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (1976). The minimum requirement for MSW landfills is a composite liner. Frequently, landfill designers and
operators will install a double liner system in MSW landfills to provide additional monitoring capabilities for the
environment and the community.

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Figure 3.4. Composite liner

Double-Liner Systems
A double liner consists of either two single liners, two composite liners, or a single and a composite liner.
The upper (primary) liner usually functions to collect the leachate, while the lower (secondary) liner acts
as a leak-detection system and backup to the primary liner. Double-liner systems are used in some
municipal solid waste landfills and in all hazardous waste landfills.
Hazardous waste landfills (also referred to as secure landfills) are constructed for the disposal of wastes that
once were ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or are designated as hazardous by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). These wastes can have an adverse effect on human health and the
environment, if improperly managed. Hazardous wastes are produced by industrial, commercial, and
agricultural activities. Subtitle C of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 1976, under Title
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, provides minimum standards for the disposal and management of
hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes must be disposed of in hazardous waste landfills. Hazardous waste
landfills must have a double liner system with a leachate collection system above the primary composite
liner and a leak detection system abovethe secondary composite liner.

Figure 3.5. Double liner system

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Leachate Collection Systems

Integrated into all liner systems is a leachate collection system. This collection system is composed of sand
and gravel or a geonet. A geonet is a plastic net-like drainage blanket. In this layer is a series of leachate
collection pipes to drain the leachate from the landfill to holding tanks forstorage and eventual treatment. In
double-liner systems, the upper drainage layer is the leachate collection system, and the lower drainage layer
is the leak detection system. The leak detection layer contains a second set of drainage pipes. The presence of
leachate in these pipes serves to alert landfill management if the primary liner has a leak.
Components of the liner system are protected by a layerthat minimizes the potential for materials in the landfill
to puncture the liner. This protective layer was traditionally composed of soil, sand, and gravel, but many
landfills now use a layer of soft refuse instead of soil. Soft refuse consists of paper, organic refuse, shredded
tires, and rubber.

Liner Components
Clay: To protect the ground water from landfill contaminants, clay liners are constructed as a simple liner
thatis two- to five-feet thick. In composite and double liners, the compacted clay layers are usually between
two- and five-feet thick, depending on the characteristics of the underlying geology and the type of liner to
be installed. Regulations specify that the clay used can only allow waterto penetrate at a rate of less than 1.2
inches per year. The effectiveness of clay liners can be reduced by fractures induced by freeze-thaw cycles,
drying out, and the presence of some chemicals.
In theory, one foot of clay is enough to contain the leachate. The reason for the additional clay is to safeguard
the environment in the event of some loss of effectiveness in part of the clay layer. The efficiency of clay
liners can be maximized by laying the clay down in four- to six-inch layers and then compacting each layer
with a heavy roller.
The efficiency of clay liners is impaired if they are allowed to dry out during placement. Desiccation of the
clay during construction results in cracks that reduce the liner efficiency. In addition, clays compacted at
low moisture contents are less effective barriers to contaminants than clays compacted at higher moisture
contents. Liners that are made of a single type of clay perform better than liners constructed using several
different types.
Geomembranes: Geomembranes are also called flexible membrane liners (FML). These liners are
constructed from various plastic materials, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high-density polyethylene
(HDPE). The preferred material for use in MSW and secure landfills is HDPE. This material is strong, resistant
to most chemicals, and is considered to be impermeable to water. Therefore, HDPE minimizes the transfer of
leachate from the landfill to the environment. The thickness of geomembranes used in landfill liner construction
is regulated by federal and state laws. In Ohio, HDPE geomembranes must have a minimum thickness of 0.060
inches for use in MSW landfills.
Geotextiles: In landfill liners, geotextiles are used to prevent the movement of small soil and refuse particles
into the leachate collection layers and to protect geomembranes from punctures. These materials allow the
movement of water but trap particles to reduce clogging in the leachate collection system.
Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL): Geosynthetic clay liners are becoming more common in landfill liner
designs. These liners consist of a thin clay layer (four to six millimeters) between two layers of a geotextile.
These liners can be installed more quickly than traditional compacted clay liners, and the efficiency of these
liners is impacted less by freeze-thaw cycles.
Geonet: A geonet is a plastic net-like drainage blanket which may be used in landfill liners in place of sand or
gravel for the leachate collection layer. Sand and gravel are usually used due to cost considerations, and

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because geonets are more susceptible to clogging by small particles. This clogging would impair the
performance of the leach- ate collection system. Geonets do, however, convey liquidmore rapidly than sand and
gravel.
7. State the detection of leakage of landfill liner systems? (16)
The basic reasoning (no pollution of groundwaters by landfill leachate has been detected) that isbeing used
in support of continued development of Subtitle D minimum single composite-lined landfills and Subtitle
C double composite-lined landfills is fundamentally flawed for a variety of reasons. These issues are
discussed below.

Travel Time of Leachate. The way that leakage through a Subtitle D single composite liner is detected is by
pollution of the groundwaters at the point of compliance for monitoring the presence of leachate. The point
of compliance can, in a properly developed landfill that complieswith minimum Subtitle D requirements, be
no more than 150 meters from the down groundwatergradient edge of the waste management units. This
means that any leakage from a Subtitle D landfill liner system must travel through the liner and unsaturated
geological strata below the liner to the groundwaters and then horizontally to the point of compliance. Since
Subtitle D landfill liner systems have only been required by the US EPA for less than three years, it is entirely
possible that at many landfill sites the leakage through the liner that is likely occurring has not yet reached
the point of compliance.

Unreliable Groundwater Monitoring. One of the primary reasons why Subtitle D and, for that matter,
Subtitle C landfills have not been found to be polluting groundwaters is that the method of detection of
groundwater pollution involves vertical monitoring wells spaced hundreds to a thousand or more feet apart
at the point of compliance for monitoring. These monitoring wells have zones of capture into the aquifer of
about one foot based on a three-borehole volume purgeof the well before sampling. This means that unless
there is widespread general leakage throughout the whole bottom of the landfill liner system, the plumes
that are generated from initial leakage would not likely be detected by the groundwater monitoring wells.
The approach that should be used to develop reliable groundwater monitoring systems for lined landfills.
Basically, the zone of capture of the monitoring wells at the point of compliance for groundwater monitoring
must be of such dimensions (lateral extent)to intersect the leachate plumes that arise from leaks through the
liner system.
This creates a situation in which the groundwater monitoring systems used have a low probability of
detecting groundwater pollution before widespread pollution occurs beyond the point of compliance for
groundwater monitoring. In most plastic sheeting-lined landfills there will be several long, finger-like
plumes of leachate extending well beyond the point of compliance before the failure of the liner system to
prevent groundwater pollution is detected. This is one of the primary reasons why it is fundamentally flawed
reasoning to assert that because the groundwater monitoring systems at Subtitle C and D landfills have not
yet detectedgroundwater pollution that these types of landfills will be protective of groundwater resources
for as long as the wastes in the landfill will be a threat.

Leakage Through Double-Lined Landfills. One of the best ways to judge whether leakage will occur through
a single composite liner is to examine the results obtained for leaks into the leak detection system for
landfills lined with double composite liners that have a leak detection system between the two composite
liners. Examining this issue is the best indicator available at this time on what can be expected in the way
of leaks through both the double composite liner and a single composite liner landfill system.
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One of the issues that is of considerable concern with respect to leakage through composite linersin a double
composite-lined system is the approach that is used to establish excessive leakage rates through the upper
composite liner. Several years ago the US EPA attempted to establish a Liner Action Leakage Rate of a few
gallons per acre per day as the rate at which a single composite liner in a double composite-lined system
would be allowed to leak before remediationefforts would have to be undertaken. As it turned out, based on
the review by Bonaparte and Gross, allowing only a few gallons per acre per day of leakage through the
upper composite linerwould mean that essentially all of the upper composite liners of double composite-lined
systems would be found to have failed. This caused the US EPA and the states to take a different approach
where the Liner Actual Leakage Rate is based on what can be achieved with current liner technology, rather
than what is necessary to protect groundwater from pollution by landfill leachate.

The appropriate approach to take in establishing the LinerAction Leakage Rate is not what can be achieved
with these types of liner materials, but what is necessary to protect the groundwaters from pollution by
landfill leachate. This is the purpose of the liners. The approach that should be used is to determine, on a
site-specific basis, the rate of leakage through the upper composite liner that can be allowed and not result
in groundwater pollution if the lower composite liner were not present. For most situations, this will be on
the order of a few gallons per acre per day.

Development of Liner Leak Detection Systems. While landfill applicants and their consultants often claim
that a single and/or double composite liner system will not leak, it is obvious from the literature, principles
of chemical thermodynamics and common sense that such claims haveno technical validity. The facts are
that composite-lined systems often can leak at the time of construction due to imperfections in the
construction. It is for this reason that I-Corp International of Daytona Beach, Florida; Gundle - GSE of
Houston, Texas; and Robertson Barrier System Corp. of Vancouver, British Columbia have developed leak
detection systems forliners. Such leak detection systems are needed to detect leaks that are occurring at the
time of construction of the liner system that are not detected by conventional QA/QC approaches.

Landfill Operations Caused Leaks. Another important source of leaks for new landfills is the inadequate
protection of the liner system from the initial placement of the wastes in the landfill. Often inadequate
attention is given to developing a protective layer between the liner system andthe lowermost layer of wastes
to prevent punctures from occurring in the liner system associatedwith the initial placement of the wastes.
An example of this type of problem occurred with Chemical Waste Management of Indiana's hazardous
waste landfill unit located near New Haven, Indiana where as part of placing the first layer of wastes in that
landfill, the landfill operator punched 83 holes in the liner. The leakage through these holes was of sufficient
magnitude so that the state of Indiana required that the wastes that had been placed in the landfillbe removed
and the liners repaired.

Solvent Permeation. There is a special type of leakage of landfill liners that, thus far, is largely being ignored
by the regulatory agencies, even though it is well-documented in the literature.
This is the problem associated with permeation of the liner by various types of organic solvents. Common
organic solvents that are present in municipal solid wastes and in treated hazardous waste residues such as
the chlorinated solvents, benzene, TCE and its degradation products such as vinyl chloride, etc., can pass
through an intact, with no holes, flexible membrane liner in a short period of time. This is a chemical process
that does not cause the liner to deteriorate, but involves the diffusion of the organics into the plastic sheeting
and then through the plastic sheeting into the media on the other side of the plastic sheeting which typically
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is the compacted clay layer. It is important to note that this mechanism of leakage is particularly significant
since it results inthe transport of highly hazardous persistent mobile constituents through the liner system
under conditions where the liner is perfectly formed and intact. It occurs not only from concentrated solvent
solutions, but also occurs with dilute aqueous solutions of the solvents. The various solvents that are of
concern can be purchased by the public at the local hardware store and therefore are not exotic chemicals
that would not be expected at a landfill, but are common chemicals that are expected in today's municipal
landfills. Many of these solvents are known or expected carcinogens. The US EPA, as part of promulgating
Subtitle D regulations, noted that one of the best ways to detect liner leakage of leachate is through
measurement of organic solvents.

Long-Term Plastic Sheeting Liner Deterioration. Even if the liner is perfectly formed and noholes are
punched in the liner at the time of waste deposition and if no organic solvents are present in the landfill, it
is still only a matter of time until the liner system fails to prevent leachate from passing through it. The US
EPA, as part of promulgating Subtitle D regulations governing municipal landfills, stated, First, even the
best liner and leachate collection system will ultimately fail due to natural deterioration, and recent
improvements in MSWLF (municipal solid waste landfill) containment technologies suggest that releases
may be delayed by many decades at some landfills."

Since the US EPA developed that position on the ultimate deterioration of flexible membrane liners,
considerable additional work has been done which now further strongly supports this position. The focus of
the Hsuan and Koerner's work is on the breakdown of the polymers in the plastic sheeting liners. They predict
that this breakdown will occur due to free radical polymer chain scissions in 40 to 120 years. These estimates
are indicated by Koerner to consider only some of the key issues that could cause breakdown. It is possible
that breakdown could begin much earlier. Even if the breakdown of theplastic sheeting polymers took 100
years or so, there is still no question that ultimately the plastic sheeting in the flexible membrane liners will
break down leading to an inability to prevent leachate from passing through it leading to groundwater
pollution in the area.

It is important to put the ultimate breakdown of the flexible membrane liner in the perspective of the time at
which the treated waste residues in a hazardous waste landfill and in a municipal solidwaste landfill represent
a threat. Both types of landfills contain waste components that will be a threat, effectively forever. Therefore,
since it is only a matter of time until disintegration of the flexible membrane liner occurs, it is only a matter
of time until groundwater pollution occurs at landfills lined with HDPE plastic sheeting.

Compacted Clay Liners. Today’s Subtitle C and D landfills require that the plastic sheeting layer(s) be
backed by compacted clay. The minimum design requirements for the clay layer are two feet of clay that
has a permeability, at the time of construction, of no greater than 10-7 cm/sec. There are a variety of well-
known mechanisms that cause thecompacted clay layers to increase their permeability over time. Factors
such as desiccation cracking are important causes of increased permeability for clay liners.

There is an increasing tendency to substitute thin bentonite mats of clay for the two feet of compacted clay.
These bentonite mats have advective permeabilities of about 10-9 cm/sec. However, the diffusional transport
through such layers is much higher than this amount. Diffusion is a much more important process for
determining the transport through bentonite mats than the advective permeability. bentonite clays are subject
to significant shrink/swell properties where, for certain types of wastes that have excess calcium and
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magnesium over sodium, the sodium bentonite clay present in these mats would undergo ion exchange with
calcium and magnesium, leading to a shrinkage of the clay and increased permeability. There are significant
questions about the advisability of relying on bentonite mats as a reliable barrier for the transport of landfill
leachatethrough them.
Overall, compacted clay layers will not prevent leachate transport through them. They have finite
permeabilities which will ultimately allow, under design specifications, the transport of leachate through the
layer. Further, there are a variety of mechanisms which can result in an increased permeability from that
prescribed in the design and achieved at the time of construction.

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