Wedge method for landfill stability analysis considering temperature increase

The increase in landfill temperature often results in shear strength reduction of both the solid waste and the liner, which leads to slope instability. However, very few landfill slope analysis methods can simultaneously consider the effect of temperature on the shear strength of the waste solid and the liner. In this study, based on the strength parameters of the liner and waste with temperature, a wedge method for translational failure analysis of landfills considering temperature increase was established. The results showed that rising temperatures caused by biochemical degradation at the bottom and middle of the landfill reduced the anti-slide force of back slope more than that of bottom slope. With the leachate level increasing, the effect of temperature rise on landfill stability became obvious. The feasibility of the proposed wedge method was verified by the engineering case study of Xiaping Landfill, Shenzhen, China. This study probably provides important guidance for the design, operation and management of municipal solid waste landfills.

ISSUES OF EFFECTIVE USE OF LAND-FILLS’ LAND RESOURCES AT THE FINAL STAGE OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE

The article is focused on the justification of the practicability of involvement of the re-sources from solid waste landfills in the eco-nomic circulation. A large number of landfills located on the territory of Russia have prac-tically exhausted their resources as waste disposal facilities; however, they can be used to obtain secondary energy resources even at the final stage of their life cycle. The optimization model presented by the authors makes it possible to develop an action plan for the phased creation of a biogas collection system based on the zoning of land plots and calculating the return on capital from their use. As an example, the landfill of solid waste "Severnaya Samarka" in the Lenin-grad region is considered.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of the sorption properties of heavy metals in the areas of the impact of solid waste landfills on groundwater

Изложены основы методики прогнозирования распространения тяжелых металлов на участках загрязнения подземных вод фильтратом полигонов твердых коммунальных отходов. Выполнен анализ качества фильтрата полигонов твердых коммунальных отходов и применимости статистических и эмпирических оценок коэффициента сорбции тяжелых металлов. Показана ограниченность применимости статистических оценок для анализа распространения высокоминерализованных вод фильтратов. На основе методологии геохимического моделирования разработана модель определения коэффициентов обмена между растворенной и твердой фазами – коэффициентов сорбции. Приведены результаты определения коэффициента сорбции для широкого круга катионов применительно к условиям вытеснения природных вод фильтратом полигонов твердых коммунальных отходов. Разработанная методика может быть использована для оценки влияния полигонов твердых коммунальных отходов на качество подземных вод, для прогнозирования распространения тяжелых металлов в области потенциального влияния отходов, для проведения работ в рамках ОВОС (Оценка воздействия на окружающую среду) и ПМООС (Перечень мероприятий по охране окружающей среды), для разработки систем инженерной защиты подземных вод от загрязнения. Предложенная модель может служить основой для ее дальнейшего развития с учетом процессов образования устойчивых органических комплексов металлов в водах фильтрата и комплексообразования на твердой фазе пород. The fundamentals of the method for predicting the spread of heavy metals in the areas of groundwater pollution by leachate from solid municipal waste landfills are stated. The analysis of the leachate quality of municipal solid waste landfills and the applicability of statistical and empirical estimates of the sorption coefficient of heavy metals is carried out. The limited applicability of statistical estimates for analyzing the distribution of highly mineralized leachate is shown. Based on the method of geochemical simulation, a model has been developed for determining the exchange coefficients between the dissolved and solid phases, i. e. sorption coefficients. The results of determining the sorption coefficient for a wide range of cations are presented with regard to the conditions of natural water displacement by the leachate from solid waste landfills. The developed method can be used to estimate the impact of municipal solid waste landfills on groundwater quality, to predict the spread of heavy metals in the area of potential waste impact, to carry out works within the framework of EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and LEPM (List of Environmental Protection Measures), to develop systems for engineering protection of groundwater from pollution. The proposed model can serve as a basis for its further improvement with account of the processes of formation of stable organic metal complexes in leachate and complexation on the hard rocks.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Operational Monitoring of Landfills

This study justifies the prospect of using aerial imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for technological monitoring and operational control of municipal solid waste landfills. It presents the results of surveys (aerial imagery) of a number of Russian landfills, which were carried out using low-cost drones equipped with standard RGB cameras. In the processing of aerial photographs, both photogrammetric data processing algorithms (for constructing orthophotoplans of objects and 3D modeling) and procedures for thematic interpretation of photo images were used. Thematic interpretation was carried out based on lists of requirements for the operating landfills (the lists were compiled on the basis of current legislative acts). Thus, this article proposes framework guidelines for the complex technological monitoring of landfills using relatively simple means of remote control. It shows that compliance with most of the basic requirements for landfill operations, which are listed in both Russian and foreign regulation, can be controlled by unmanned aerial imagery. Thus, all of the main technological operations involving waste at landfills (placement, compaction, intermediate isolation) are able to be controlled remotely; as well as compliance with most of the design and planning requirements associated with the presence and serviceability of certain engineering systems and structures (collection systems for leachate and surface wastewater, etc.); and the state of the landfill body. Cases where the compliance with operating standards cannot be monitored remotely are also considered. It discusses the advantages of air imagery in comparison with space imagery (detail of images, operational efficiency), as well as in comparison with ground inspections (speed, personnel safety). It is shown that in many cases, interpreting the obtained aerial photographs for technological monitoring tasks does not require special image processing and can be performed visually. Based on the analysis of the available world experience, as well as the results of the study, it was concluded that unmanned aerial imagery has great potential for solving problems of waste landfill management.