The beidellite clays from the Bełchatów lignite deposit as a raw material for constructing waterproofing barriers
Abstract Disposal sites for both industrial and communal waste are hazardous for the natural environment due to the accumulated materials and their chemical, physical and biological transformations. The products of these processes migrating at a significant distance contaminate mainly underground waters, surface waters and soils. The spreading of the pollutants may be prevented by horizons of clay rocks that form natural geological barriers. The clay rocks of properly selected parameters may be used in the environmental engineering for constructing artificial water-sealing layers. The mineral, chemical, physico-chemical and physico-mechanical properties of the beidellite clays occurring within the lignite deposit in Bełchatów were studied to find out whether they meet the criteria of waterproofing engineering contained in the Polish recommendations and instructions. The results indicate that the beidellite clays of Bełchatów are rocks suitable for this kind of environmental engineering and may be used in constructing the barriers preventing the migration of effluents from landfills.