Why Landfills Are Monitored for Years After Closure
Landfills serve as a final resting place for diverse waste materials, including toxic items such as lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and kitchen waste. The consequences of improper waste management can have serious long-term impacts on the environment, particularly on groundwater. Monitoring landfills post-closure is a critical step in ensuring long-term environmental safety. This article explains why post-closure monitoring is so important and discusses the specific risks associated with landfill disposal, ensuring that even after closure, vigilant monitoring continues.
The Risks Posed by Landfills
Landfills are often filled with a multitude of waste items, including hazardous materials. Lead acid batteries, for example, contain lead, a toxic substance that can severely impact human and environmental health. Lithium-ion batteries, while not as dangerous through direct contact, can leak over time, posing risks to groundwater and soil. Kitchen waste, though organic, can release toxic gases when combined with other sorts of waste, leading to methane production and other harmful emissions.
Subterranean Dangers: Leaching and Gas Emissions
One of the primary concerns with landfills is the potential for liquids to leach into the ground water. Leachate, the liquid that seeps through the landfill and contains concentrated pollutants, can migrate through the ground and contaminate groundwater, harming both the environment and human populations that rely on that water. The release of toxic gases is another risk, where waste, including hazardous chemicals from industrial waste, can produce harmful gases that can infiltrate the environment, causing respiratory issues and exacerbating long-term health problems.
Long-Term Degradation and Evolving Toxicities
The degradation of waste materials in landfills over time is an ongoing process that can span many years. Over decades, waste can break down into different substances, some of which may be more toxic than the original material. Additionally, the evolution of toxic gases from waste is a phenomenon that can occur for decades, further complicating post-closure environmental safety. Continuous monitoring is essential to catch and address any new threats that may arise as a result of long-term degradation processes.
Post-Closure Monitoring: A Necessity for Safety
Post-closure monitoring is a crucial step in managing the risks associated with landfills. Once a landfill is closed, it is placed under strict environmental regulations that require regular testing and reporting. This monitoring helps to ensure that any potential threats to groundwater and air quality are identified and addressed before they can cause significant environmental damage. The data collected during these monitoring periods can provide valuable insights into the long-term impacts of waste disposal and help refine future practices and regulations.
Case Studies and Examples
There are several instances where post-closure monitoring has proven its importance. For example, in New Jersey, the Willow Run Landfill faced significant challenges in the years following its closure. Despite initial measures to mitigate potential groundwater contamination, new problems emerged, necessitating continuous monitoring and additional remediation efforts. This case highlights the need for long-term vigilance in managing landfill sites.
In another instance, the DuPont landfill in Wilmington, Delaware was the site of extensive contamination of groundwater and surface water with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Post-closure monitoring identified the source of the contamination and allowed for targeted remediation efforts to address the issue, demonstrating the critical role of ongoing monitoring.
Conclusion
Landfill monitoring extends beyond the closure date of a landfill due to the complexity of degradation processes and the potential for evolving toxicities. Continuous monitoring ensures the safety of the surrounding environment and public health by identifying and addressing any potential risks that may arise from waste disposal. As we strive for better environmental management practices, understanding the importance of post-closure monitoring is a key aspect to achieving long-term sustainability and safety.