Landfill Site (landfill + site)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Subsurface Imaging of an Abandoned Solid Waste Landfill Site in Norman, Oklahoma

GROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 2 2006
Joseph T. Zume
Leachate plume emanating from an old unlined municipal landfill site near the city of Norman, Oklahoma, is discharging into the underlying alluvial aquifer. Subsurface imaging techniques, electrical resistivity tomography and electrical conductivity (EC) logging, were used on the site to detect and map the position of the leachate plume. Anomalous EC zones, delineated with the two methods, correlated with the occurrence of the plume detected by water chemistry analyses from multilevel monitoring wells. Specific conductance, a potential indicator of leachate contamination, ranged from 1861 to 7710 ,S/cm in contaminated zones and from 465 to 2180 ,S/cm in uncontaminated ground water. Results are in agreement with those from earlier studies that the leachate plume emerges from the landfill along preferential pathways. Additionally, there are indications that the leading edge of the plume has migrated, at least, 200 m away from the landfill in the direction of ground water flow. [source]


Recycling and Landfilling in a Dynamic Sraffian Model: Application of the Corn,guano Model to a Waste Treatment problem

METROECONOMICA, Issue 3 2001
Eiji HosodaArticle first published online: 17 DEC 200
Landfill sites may be regarded as input for a waste treatment process. Considering landfill as an exhaustible resource, we apply a basic corn,guano model to a waste treatment problem. We show how dynamic substitution between landfilling and recycling occurs. Namely, in an early stage, landfill disposal is adopted as waste treatment and a recycling process is not activated. Once an economy faces exhaustion of landfill, a recycling process is activated as a backstop technology. We refer to the possibility that an economy may be unstable after exhaustion of landfill, even if it enjoys stable growth at the early stage. [source]


A 3-D Graphical Database System for Landfill Operations Using GPS

COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2002
H. Ping Tserng
Landfill space is an important commodity for landfill companies. It is desirable to develop an efficient tool to assist space management and monitor space consumption. When recyclable wastes or particular waste materials need to be retrieved from the landfill site, the excavation operations become more difficult without an efficient tool to provide waste information (i.e., location and type). In this paper, a methodology and several algorithms are proposed to develop a 3-D graphical database system (GDS) for landfill operations. A 3-D GDS not only monitors the space consumption of a landfill site, but can also provide exact locations and types of compacted waste that would later benefit the landfill excavation operations or recycling programs after the waste is covered. [source]


An environmental evaluation of household garbage processors

ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 7 2010
Kazuhito Haruki
Abstract The amount of garbage emitted from households and industries has been constantly increasing in recent years, and its treatment cost has been a financial burden to municipal governments in Japan. Many municipal governments recommend that their citizens purchase household garbage processors in order to reduce the volume of garbage transferred to and incinerated at their facilities. Actually, 1535 municipal governments subsidize their citizens' purchase of electrical garbage processors and/or compost containers. These subsidies should be assessed from various points of view, such as the costs and benefits to municipal governments and citizens, and also global or local environmental loads. An environmental planning department of a city office sent questionnaires to its residents to investigate the utilization of the subsidized devices. An environmental organization of citizens supported the department with design of the questionnaire form and analysis of the collected questionnaire data. In this paper, the processes of designing the form and analyzing the data are explained, and then an evaluation of the subsidy is presented. The conclusions are as follows: Electrical garbage processors would be beneficial for dealing with local environmental problems such as lack of a final landfill site. However, the processors will increase CO2 emissions unless their electrical consumption efficiency can be improved. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(7): 42,52, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10285 [source]


Subsurface Imaging of an Abandoned Solid Waste Landfill Site in Norman, Oklahoma

GROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 2 2006
Joseph T. Zume
Leachate plume emanating from an old unlined municipal landfill site near the city of Norman, Oklahoma, is discharging into the underlying alluvial aquifer. Subsurface imaging techniques, electrical resistivity tomography and electrical conductivity (EC) logging, were used on the site to detect and map the position of the leachate plume. Anomalous EC zones, delineated with the two methods, correlated with the occurrence of the plume detected by water chemistry analyses from multilevel monitoring wells. Specific conductance, a potential indicator of leachate contamination, ranged from 1861 to 7710 ,S/cm in contaminated zones and from 465 to 2180 ,S/cm in uncontaminated ground water. Results are in agreement with those from earlier studies that the leachate plume emerges from the landfill along preferential pathways. Additionally, there are indications that the leading edge of the plume has migrated, at least, 200 m away from the landfill in the direction of ground water flow. [source]


The development of sustainable earthworm populations at Calvert landfill site, UK

LAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2004
K. R. Butt
Abstract Earthworms Allolobophora chlorotica and Aporrectodea longa were inoculated into Calvert landfill site in spring 1992, in conjunction with the planting of two tree species Alnus glutinosa and Acer pseudoplatanus. Monitoring has taken place over a period of 11 years. Sampling in 2003 revealed that earthworm distribution no longer equated to the inoculation treatments; the worms had spread extensively. The presence of A. glutinosa had a significant effect (p<0,01) on earthworm number (mean density 198,m,2) and biomass (34,g,m,2) compared to plots where A. pseudoplatanus had been planted and subsequently died (mean density 118,m,2; biomass 21,g,m,2). Results suggest that tree presence may be critical to earthworm community development. In 2002, the spread of A. chlorotica from the original points of inoculation had reached 60,m with the highest recorded population density at 108,m,2 with a mass of 18,6,g,m,2. A. longa was recorded at a distance of 132,m from the nearest point of inoculation with the highest recorded population density at 70,m,2 with a mass of 49,3,g,m,2, 10,m from the original inoculation grid. Other species recorded (and % of total) were Aporrectodea rosea (0,9) Lumbricus castaneus (7,4), Eiseniella tetraedra (21,5) and Lumbricus rubellus (4,5). The two inoculated species, A. chlorotica (40,4) and A. longa (25,3), accounted for two thirds of the earthworms found on site. The highest earthworm community density was 213,m,2 with a mass of 73,9,g,m,2 at 10,m from original point of inoculation. In 1999, treatments of surface organic matter (OM), in the form of composted green waste, and rotavation were applied to non-replicated plots of 50,m2 with the effects on earthworm distribution and abundance recorded in 2002. Addition of OM alone led to an increase in number and mass (331,m,2; 95,g,m,2) compared to the control (233,m,2; 51,g,m,2), while rotavation alone (111,m,2; 36,g,m,2) had a detrimental effect over the given time period. This long-term monitoring programme has demonstrated the development of sustainable earthworm communities on a landfill site. Natural nutrient accumulation and addition of OM on or into the soil-forming material appeared to assist this process. This work may help to inform post-capping treatment at similar landfill sites Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Down syndrome in births near landfill sites

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 13 2007
Lars Jarup
Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to examine the risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome associated with residence near landfill sites in England and Wales. Methods A 2-km zone around 6289 landfill sites processing special (hazardous), non-special and unknown waste type was used to indicate exposure. Postcodes within the 2-km zone were classified as ,exposed' and people living beyond 2 km comprised the reference population. Health outcome data were Down syndrome registrations from a national registry including 21 cytogenetic laboratories in England and Wales, for the years 1989 to 1998. With a Bayesian regression model, we calculated relative risks for the population living within 2 km of landfill sites relative to the reference population, assuming a common relative risk for all landfill sites. Adjustments were made for major confounders. Results There were 4640 cases of Down syndrome within 2 km of a landfill site. We found no excess risks of Down syndrome related to landfill sites. Adjustment for socio-economic status (SES) did not influence our estimates. There were no differences in risk between hazardous waste sites and other landfill sites. Conclusion We found no excess risk of Down syndrome in populations living near landfill sites. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A Method for Predicting Chloride Concentrations in Leachate at Natural Attenuation Landfills in the Precambrian Shield Regions of Ontario, Canada

GROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 3 2000
Jim Gehrels
Natural attenuation landfill sites continue to be the preferred method of domestic waste disposal in the Precambrian Shield regions of Ontario due to economic factors. The main challenge in siting these landfills is ensuring that there will be no adverse impact on off-site water resources. Impact risk assessments are generally based on estimated volumes and strengths of chloride in the leachate. While volumes can be estimated using simple water balances, peak chloride concentration predictions are based on judgment and are quite variable. Since design chloride strengths dictate the size of the required attenuation zone, overestimating concentrations will typically make it impossible to find a suitable site, while underestimating concentrations increases the potential for adverse off-site impacts occurring. Hydrogeological data from active and closed landfills in the Precambrian Shield region were collected to help develop a reliable method of predicting peak chloride concentrations in leachate. This study focused on 21 sites located on relatively permeable sandy soils since landfills underlain by low permeability clayey soils retain leachate similar to lined facilities. Linear regression analyses were conducted to determine if source chloride concentrations at the "sand" sites are significantly influenced by waste thickness, fill area, waste volume, waste deposition rate, hydraulic conductivity, upgradient flow length, depth to the water table, and moisture surplus. A strong relationship (R = 0.957) was found to exist between source chloride concentrations and waste volume. This empirical volume versus chloride regression equation can be used as the basis for establishing design chloride concentrations at new natural attenuation landfills developed over sandy soils in the Precambrian Shield regions of Ontario. An alternative risk assessment approach is required for sites developed over clay soils. [source]


Fungi are the predominant micro-organisms responsible for degradation of soil-buried polyester polyurethane over a range of soil water holding capacities

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
S.R. Barratt
Abstract Aims: To investigate the relationship between soil water holding capacity (WHC) and biodegradation of polyester polyurethane (PU) and to quantify and identify the predominant degrading micro-organisms in the biofilms on plastic buried in soil. Methods and Results: High numbers of both fungi and bacteria were recovered from biofilms on soil-buried dumb-bell-shaped pieces of polyester PU after 44 days at 15,100% WHC. The tensile strength of the polyester PU was reduced by up to 60% over 20,80% soil WHC, but no reduction occurred at 15, 90 or 100% soil WHC. A PU agar clearance assay indicated that fungi, but not bacteria were, the major degrading organisms in the biofilms on polyester PU and 10,30% of all the isolated fungi were able to degrade polyester PU in this assay. A 5·8S rDNA sequencing identified 13 strains of fungi representing the three major colony morphology types responsible for PU degradation. Sequence homology matches identified these strains as Nectria gliocladioides (five strains), Penicillium ochrochloron (one strain) and Geomyces pannorum (seven strains). Geomyces pannorum was the predominant organism in the biofilms comprising 22,100% of the viable polyester PU degrading fungi. Conclusions: Polyester PU degradation was optimum under a wide range of soil WHC and the predominant degrading organisms were fungi. Significance and Impact of the Study: By identifying the predominant degrading fungi in soil and studying the optimum WHC conditions for degradation of PU it allows us to better understand how plastics are broken down in the environment such as in landfill sites. [source]


Down syndrome in births near landfill sites

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 13 2007
Lars Jarup
Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to examine the risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome associated with residence near landfill sites in England and Wales. Methods A 2-km zone around 6289 landfill sites processing special (hazardous), non-special and unknown waste type was used to indicate exposure. Postcodes within the 2-km zone were classified as ,exposed' and people living beyond 2 km comprised the reference population. Health outcome data were Down syndrome registrations from a national registry including 21 cytogenetic laboratories in England and Wales, for the years 1989 to 1998. With a Bayesian regression model, we calculated relative risks for the population living within 2 km of landfill sites relative to the reference population, assuming a common relative risk for all landfill sites. Adjustments were made for major confounders. Results There were 4640 cases of Down syndrome within 2 km of a landfill site. We found no excess risks of Down syndrome related to landfill sites. Adjustment for socio-economic status (SES) did not influence our estimates. There were no differences in risk between hazardous waste sites and other landfill sites. Conclusion We found no excess risk of Down syndrome in populations living near landfill sites. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Evapotranspiration covers: An innovative approach to remediate and close contaminated sites

REMEDIATION, Issue 1 2003
Kelly L. Madalinski
A new, cost-effective option for the remediation and final closure of contaminated landfill sites gaining interest among environmental professionals is the evapotranspiration (ET) cover. Unlike current covers that use hydraulic barriers to prevent water from reaching the waste, ET covers rely on the simple concept of using water balance components to meet this goal. Depending on site conditions and other factors, ET covers may be less costly to construct, while still offering performance equivalent to conventional covers. While ET covers are being proposed, tested, or installed at a number of contaminated sites, field performance data remain limited. To address the need for more information, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been conducting several efforts to make available more information about this promising alternative solution. This article summarizes these efforts and provides information on the current status of using ET covers at contaminated sites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Mounding as a Technique for Restoration of Prairie on a Capped Landfill in the Puget Sound Lowlands

RESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
Kern Ewing
Abstract Closed landfills create large open spaces that are often proposed as sites for restored or created ecosystems. Grasslands are probably prescribed most often because of the presumption that grass root systems will not breach the landfill cap. Capped landfills have a number of soil degradation problems, including compaction, decreased permeability, lack of organic material, diminished soil fauna, inappropriate texture, and lack of structure. In this study in the Puget Sound lowlands, Washington, U.S.A., mounding (low sandy-loam mounds, about 20 cm high and 2 m in diameter), addition of fertilizer, and mulching with yard-waste compost were applied to landfill sites as treatments in a factorial-design experiment. Prairie plants (1,344 individuals, 7 species) were planted into 4-m2 plots (n = 48), and plant growth and survival and the increase in weed biomass were monitored for 3 years. Mulching had no effect on plant survival or growth. Fertilization had a negative effect on Lupinus lepidus, a nitrogen-fixing species. Mounding had a positive effect on growth and survival of Eriophyllum lanatum, Festuca idahoensis, and Aster curtus. Potentilla pacifica was indifferent to mounding, and Carex inops responded negatively. Mounds should probably be used as one element of a complex of habitats on restored landfills. [source]