Water content of the GCL was determined in the immediate vicinity of the locations where the GCL specimens were removed from the GCL roll for approximately every 12 specimens prior to testing. After hydration testing, water content for each specimen was determined by peeling off the cover geotextile while cutting needlepunched fibers with a razor knife and carefully removing the bentonite component of the GCLs (Figures 8 and 9). Also, swell index of the bentonite component of the GCLs was determined using DI water (ASTM D5890) for all specimens after completion of each hydration period (Figure 10). Swell index (SI) data also was obtained on the virgin GCL that was not subjected to any of the hydration fluids. Daily measurements were made on the hydration fluid and included determination of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature. All testing and post-conditioning sampling were conducted in regions associated with fully exposed conditions (i.e., not covered by duct tape). Temperature-controlled testing FIGURE 6A Submerging GCL specimen in 2 liters of conditioning fluid FIGURE 6B Temperature-controlled bath at full capacity FIGURE 7A Temperature-controlled bath FIGURE 7B Schematic cross-section of temperature-controlled bath GeosyntheticsMagazine.com 15http://www.GeosyntheticsMagazine.com