Barrier Properties of Earth Lining for Pollution Control

Abstract

Environmental considerations prompted by governmental regulations require industries and new housing developments to treat waste liquid effluents to either de-toxify or sequester harmful matter prior to release into the surroundings. Treatment generally takes place while the liquids are in storage. Because of the large volume of liquids involved, tanks and other types of preformed containers are extremely expensive. A less costly solution to this problem has been taken by some sanitary engineers who have simply bulldozed large holes in the ground and then lined the walls and bottoms with what was expected to be impervious coatings or films. This approach, however, leads to further considerations because of the organic matter in the ground. If the H₂S and methane constantly being generated cannot be dissipated through the lining, the resulting pressure causes the films or coatings to balloon and eventually burst.