Why We Place Caps on Old Landfills and How It Is Done
Landfill Problems - A Landfill Site Anatomy
This article applies to all typical RCRA Subtitle C Landfill Cap Systems, and is an educational guide only read the USEPA guides before taking any action.
The placing of a sealing layer from rain over a landfill is usually done to:
* Reduce exposure on the surface of the waste landfill.
* Avert vertical penetration of water into wastes that would produce contaminated leachate.
* Confine waste while treatment is being applied.
* Keep in check gas emissions from underlying waste.
* Give rise to a soil surface that can support plant life and/or exist for added purposes.
Landfill Capping is the most widespread form of remediation as it is in general less costly than other technologies and in effect manages the human being and ecological risks coupled with a remediation location.
The strategy of landfill caps is location specific plus depends resting on the intended functions of the scheme. Landfill Caps can stretch from a one-layer system of vegetated top soil to a multifaceted multi-layer method of soils and geosynthetics. In general, a lesser amount of complex systems are necessary in arid climates and more intricate systems are required in damp climates. The material used in the building of landfill caps involve low-permeability and high-permeability soils and low-permeability geosynthetic products. The low-permeability materials divert water and avoid its passage into the garbage. The high permeability materials convey water away that percolates into the cap. Other materials can be used to enhance slope stability.
The most vital components of a landfill cap are the barrier layer and the drainage layer. The barrier layer can be low-permeability soil (clay) and/or geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). A flexible geomembrane liner is placed resting on the barrier layer. Geomembranes are as a rule supplied in bulky rolls and are available in quite a few thickness (20 to 140 mil), widths (15 to 100 ft), and lengths (180 to 840 ft). The contender list of polymers commonly used is extensive, which includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylenes of a range of densities, reinforced chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE-R), polypropylene, ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA), and several newcomers. Soils used as barrier materials in the main are clays that are flattened to a hydraulic conductivity no greater than 1 x 10-6 cm/sec. Compacted soil barriers are usually installed in 6-inch minimum lifts to accomplish a thickness of 2 feet or more. A composite barrier uses together soil and a geomembrane, taking advantage of the properties of each one. The geomembrane is in effect impermeable, but, if it develops a leakage, the soil component prevents noteworthy escape into the underlying trash.
For facilities over putrescible wastes, the gathering and control of methane and carbon dioxide, powerful greenhouse gases, must be part of facility design and operation.
Concrete Cap/Asphalt
The most effective single-layer caps are composed of concrete or bituminous asphalt. It is used to construct a surface barrier sandwiched between landfill and the environment. An asphalt concrete cap would lessen leaching through the landfill into an aquifer.
Subtitle C Capping Layer
The RCRA C multilayered landfill cap is a baseline design that is recommended for use in RCRA hazardous waste applications. These caps generally consist of an upper vegetative (topsoil) layer, a drainage layer, and a low permeability layer which consists of a synthetic lining over 2 feet of compacted clay. The compacted clay liners are effective if they hold on to a specific dampness content but are inclined to cracking if the clay material is dried. As a result alternate cap designs are usually considered designed for arid environments.
D Subtitle Cap – RCRA
RCRA Subtitle D requirements are for non-hazardous garbage landfills. The design of a landfill cover for a RCRA Subtitle D facility is usually a function of the bottom lining arrangement or native subsoils present. The cover must meet the following conditions:
* the material should maintain a permeability no greater than 1 x 10-5 cm/s, or equal permeability of any underside liner or natural subsoils there, whichever is less.
* The layer to keep the waste dry must contain at least 45 cm of subsoil material type.
* The erosion control layer must be at least 15 cm of earthen material capable of sustaining native plant development.
Different design can be considered, but must be be of parallel performance as the specifications outlined above. Every covers must remain designed to prevent the “bathtub” effect. The bathtub effect occurs as soon as a more permeable cover is positioned above a less permeable bottom liner or natural subsoil. The landfill subsequently fills up reminiscent of a bathtub.
Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Options For Your Home
Most cleaning products available these days rely heavily on caustic and toxic chemicals that seriously damage the environment. They often aren't good for your health either.
If you're thinking about not using these harsh chemicals, you could use an equivalent but more environmentally friendly cleaner. There are various options for cleaning your home in a way that’s environmentally friendly. Here are some ideas to consider:
Simple Green. Simple Green is an excellent industrial strength cleaner that happens to carry the Green Seal certification for environmental responsibility. The Green Seal guarantees that a product meets strict standards of environmental stewardship in the way it’s manufactured and used. It also indicates a product that is easily biodegradable. Simple Green is versatile, extremely effective and will clean the toughest jobs. It’s so strong in concentrated form that you may want to dilute it in one or more parts of water. This has the positive benefit of allowing you to control its strength when cleaning more delicate objects. Use it in your bathroom, kitchen, to wash your car, or just about anything else--while being confident you're using a product that won't harm the environment.
Baking Soda. Baking soda has great cleaning, scrubbing and deodorizing properties. It's also environmentally friendly. It has a large number of uses, including many you may not have thought about. In addition to its popular use for removing unpleasant odors from the refrigerator, it can be sprinkled on carpets and rugs to deodorize them. You can sprinkle it on a sponge and clean your counters without fear of scratching them. You can dilute it in water and clean your mop. It's a wonderfully versatile product.
Tea Tree Oil. If you’re attacking mold, there are several natural ways to get rid of it. One of the best is tea tree oil, which has great antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Mix a teaspoon of it with two cups of water, spray it on the affected area and allow to dry. The scent can be very strong, but it will dissipate in a day or two.
Going green often requires sacrifice, but not when it comes to cleaning. You shouldn’t have to put up with toxic chemicals when cleaning your home. You can do a great job with a green cleaner that will spare the environment and won’t put your family’s health at risk.
Top 5 Rationales for Biodiesel
May 18, 2009 by Guest
Filed under Fossil Fuels
There are a lot of reasons to use Biodiesel instead of diesel fuel or other alternative fuels. It is something you should reflect on when you are jaded with the high price of diesel fuel.
Here are five logical reasons that will make you want to use Biodiesel in your auto at once.
Motivation Number One-Biodiesel has considerably less water than fossil fuel
At some point in its processing water will be fused with the fuel. There is a difference in the ratio of water that is put into the fuel that goes into your car. As a rule there is less water compounded with Biodiesel, so you do not end up with this water problem when you use it.
Reason two-Biodiesel is cost effective.
Homemade Biodiesel is an option making it very low cost even when you buy from the pump it will prove cheaper than regular diesel.
Your vehicle will run better with Biodiesel and this means that service and maintenance will cost less.
Reason Three – Biodiesel improves your automobile
Biodiesel has better lubricating properties and burns cleaner. This is the reason that there is less strain on your engine. After a while you will find that you are spending less money because you are not needing repairs and service.
Reason Four – Biodiesel is renewable.
Having a fuel source that will never run out is important. Most people are unaware that our fuel sources are dwindling Many people simply do not realize that the present-day fuel sources are being used upand in time will be gone forever
Once they disappear nobody can bring them back.
Energy sources like Biodiesel, that can be regenerated will never disappear. Biodiesel is created from organic ingredients that can be used over and over again
Reason Five – Biodiesel causes less harm to the environment.
automobile exhaust is one of the biggest contributors to high pollution levels. There are so many automobiles on the road that this fact comes as no surprise. normal fuel produces a great deal of pollution. Few pollutants are emitted from Biodeisel. There is a decreased chance of pollution when you use Biodiesel or a blend of Biodiesel.
This is good for the environment and all the living things that are breathing in the tainted air. Even a small chunk is good to minimize.
A couch potato’s 10 steps to fight global warming
May 6, 2009 by Guest
Filed under Global Warming
The Green Effect
During this economic crisis and continued global warming, the need for sustainable development has become a now issue instead of a later issue. Both private and government entities (including the EPA) have come up with programs and products that promote “green” production and consumption. These environment-friendly practices are now being used in numerous firms and industries.
- Image via Wikipedia
But what about the apartments we rent? Are our homes as “anti global waming” as they should be? Continued efforts to sustain the environment should first and foremost be undertaken under our own roof. These can be done with the use of products that consume less energy and other resources. Over time, the use of these products can result not only in savings but also in the reduction of waste and materials harmful to our homes and the environment.
Here’s a quick list of 10 items I’ve discovered that can make a world of a difference.
1. Heat-energy recovery system
· Sensible Heat Energy Recovery System (SHERS) uses heat generated from an air-conditioner or refrigerator to heat water. Payback period is anywhere from six months to two years
2.The Eco Bio Block
· Made of volcanic stones and beneficial bacteria, is used to purify water in home aquariums, water tanks and big bodies of water such as ponds, lakes and marshes. When used in home aquariums, there is no need to filter, clean and change water for a period of one to three years.
3. Biowash ball
· Washing clothes without using a detergent may seem strange. Introducing the Anabess biowash ball, it’s made of natural ceramics & alters the chemical composition of the water so it can wash clothes more effectively without liquid detergent. It should last 3 years. Think of the savings in gas from running to the store for more detergent.
4. Air-con with inverter technology
· The Panasonic Envio series of air-conditioners makes use of an “inverter technology” that changes compressor operation speed to match a changing room temperature and adjust power output accordingly, which leads to reduced energy consumption of up to 50 percent, while product only costs about 14% more than the average AC. The payback period may be expected in about seven months..
5.Low Flow faucets
Moen has mother natures call for water conservation by coming up with a line of WaterSense-certified bathroom faucets. With the help of new aerator technology these Moen faucets use 30% less water than other models but still feel just as powerful on your hands.
6. Compact fluorescent lamp
· Much has been said about the efficiency of compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs. They last about 5x longer than incandescent lamps and consume 80% less energy with the same level of brightness. Companies such as Purely Products even carry CFLs that double as ionizers for the room, eliminating the need for an unsightly ionizer on the floor.
7.Reusable shopping bags
· The impact of just one person changing to reusable bags over a two-year period is significant. Used twice a week for two years a consumer would save 832 plastic bags from going in a landfill.
8.Biodegradable Cellulose Sandwich bags
· Typical plastic bags are derived from petroleum and take well over a lifespan to decompose. These biodegrade in 1-3 months in soil BUT actually keep food lasting longer, unlike evil plastic, they don’t release gases which spoil food taste.
9.Smart Surge Protector
· Green Home introduced a smart surge protector. The power strip can ‘sense’ the flow of electrical current through the strip’s control outlet. This unique option enables the Smart Strip to turn off selected equipment when it’s not in use saving you time & greenbacks!
A small electronic device inside the Smart Strip monitors the current on a single outlet. Let’s say the computer is plugged into that single outlet. When your PC is finished powering off, the current draw from the computer drops to its idle current — and the Smart Strip monitors the current change, automatically powering down all of the computer peripherals.
The Smart Strip Power Strip is the only surge protector on the market today with energy saving electronics. The 10 outlet surge protector version has 1 Control Outlet, 3 Constant Hot Outlets, and 6 Switched Outlets.
10.Compostable Trash Bags
· These BioBags are made from GMO free starch and are 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable.
Now that you know about these products start using them daily. By changing just a few things we use daily, we each can do our part.
