Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 18

Navigating landfill leachate requirements with geosynthetics
All these design considerations highA.
Carboxylates
B. Sulfonates
light the value of geosynthetics, which
come in various forms and designs to offer
cost-efficient ways to design safe and longlasting
landfills (Junqueira et al. 2006).
C. Sulfonamides
D. Fluorotelomers
Geomembranes as a barrier
Environmental conservation relies on barriers
to keep contaminated water from
polluting clean water. Geosynthetic barriers,
or geomembranes, support landfill
leachate management. Due to their
physical properties, these geomembranes
exhibit very low permeability and formidable
resistance against various chemicals
and compounds that would degrade many
other materials (Needham et al. 2006;
Rowe and Sangam 2002). They play a crucial
role in landfills by effectively preventing
harmful leachate migration, fortifying
the protection of groundwater reservoirs
and surrounding ecosystems (Touze-Foltz
et al. 2021, S'habou and Salem 2023).
Continued research emphasizes the
FIGURE 2 The concentration of different per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate
was collected from an extensive literature survey (5).
Consideration
Complex composition
Variability
Recalcitrance
Financial burden
Description
Contains salts, heavy metals, organic matter, recalcitrant organics, ammonia nitrogen,
xenobiotics and PFASs.
Composition varies with landfill age and waste type, affecting treatment approaches.
Elevated temperature leachate and other forms are more resistant to standard
treatment methods.
High costs associated with treatment and disposal, including reliance on external WWTPs.
Operational challenges Managing the volume and complexity of leachate poses logistical and technical hurdles.
Environmental impact
Potential to cause long-lasting harm to ecosystems and human health if not
properly treated.
Regulatory compliance Need to adhere to evolving regulations and standards for leachate treatment and disposal.
Resource recovery
Opportunities for extracting valuable resources such as ammonia and phosphorus,
although challenging.
TABLE 1 A summary of considerations in landfill leachate management (1, 2, 5-7).
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Geosynthetics | Summer 2024
Geocomposite acting as a
transport layer for leachate
collection and detection
In recent years, geocomposites have revolutionized
leachate management. These
engineered materials, comprised of products
such as geotextiles and geonets, offer
drainage, filtration and other continuous
benefits. Their integration into collection
systems simplifies leachate removal,
importance of material choice, precise
installation and regular maintenance for
effective containment (Touze-Foltz et
al. 2021; Cazzuffi et al. 2010). Advances
in geomembrane technology enhance
stability and resilience to environmental
stressors (Kavazanjian et al. 2006; Wu
and Shu 2012), extending their utility
to hydraulic structures and floodwater
containment (Sun et al. 2020; Vorlet and
De Cesare 2024).
Concentration (ng L-1
)
Concentration (ng L-1
)
Concentration (ng L-1
)
Concentration (ng L-1
)

Geosynthetics July/August 2024

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