Mr. Abhirup Sikdar, Project Specialist, Malancha, Kolkata, West Bengal, discusses about environmental containment technologies: landfill and soil capping.
We have seen in our daily routine people throwing garbage outside. This is collected and thrown in to landfill sites and open areas which are not nurtured or taken proper care of. It leads to degradation of surroundings, water, soil, and air over the years. We must ensure that the landfills are taken care of with the help of good liners so that it does not spoil the surrounding areas, no contamination, and affecting the ground water. MSW is a major component of land fill, and there is a high possibility of methane production in these landfill areas which often leads to fire in the landfill areas which is again detrimental to the surroundings. So, governments and other departments have laid down certain guidelines on how to make the landfills.
Nowadays, we create an area which is very dep from the existing layout, put geo liners or poly sheets so that the dumped material does not contaminate the soil. It has many benefits as we put gas pipes to collect methane and other gases which go directly into methane gas chamber or aeration chamber where it is further segregated and used for biofuel usage. When rain or other water comes into MSW dump, they react with the existing materials and start collecting at the base level. So, we also plant and set up pumping stations which collect the entire leachate water which is processed and released.
Since MSW or landfill consists of household things also, there are many biodegradable materials in the dump yards. So soil capping is a technique to cover the entire dump by greenery. It is of two types – geosynthetic based caps and vegetative caps. The synthetic capping was done in Jamshedpur. We cleaned the entire area covering the soil with sand to make the base layer so that the rainwater or other waste water does not percolate deep in the existing MSW which has been there since many years. Then plantation is done. The water running down the slopes is collected into chambers and filtered and released into the ground. There are certain standards to be followed when applying bio capping or soil capping projects, regularly checked, or do a daily monitoring.
Geosynthetic capping liners are put over the pit and covered fully. Soil is spread and grass grown. In many MSW pits, removing the entire dump is very difficult. Biomining is a part, and bioremediation is part of this process. To ensure landfill gas management, pipes are installed to collect the methane and other gases. Leachate treatment to monitor ground water is part of the entire project. If the parameters are not met, the ground water quality will deplete over the time. Soil remedial technique, capping, and phytoremediation are the other techniques used. bioremediation is bio mining popular in India but has some limitations. We have to segregate dry and wet waste as otherwise the machines cannot function properly. We need to educate people about the methodology and the benefits of the technique. The regulatory framework is done by Central Pollution Control Board and other regulatory bodies by following certain norms. Regular compliance is needed in all these projects.
The main challenge in these kinds of projects is funding as bio capping or bioremediation is a huge fund based activity. There is inadequate infrastructure in our country, by people are working towards that, with government initiatives. Many people are not compliant with these kinds of work as they do not have enough knowledge and fail to understand how harmful it is to them. We have to educate them to achieve success. The future of environmental containment technologies lies in our hands as we keep working, and a lot of researches are going on. The landfills are used for decomposing and generate electricity. The rainwater harvesting systems are installed in landfills.
How did you get interest in this particular project?
I was part of a horticulture company, our family business, and we got the clue from one of our clients to bring in this new technology to develop a certain area. We often find that people do not segregate the waste. When we start segregating the garbage, the government or civic bodies working on a daily basis to mitigate the landfill problems and containment, it will become easy for them. So this thought process brought me to this idea of landfill and containment technologies. Since a long time we are working on this project. Segregation is there since a few years, but people are not serious about it. When we see the municipal dumping yard, we see dry waste, mechanical waste, electronics waste, and even wet waste. But many cities like Jamshedpur have made people aware of the problems, but many cities are not aware of why such segregation is needed. We have to approach every strata of society to solve the problem.
What are the key components of modern landfill containment system, and how have they evolved over time?
The key components are capping, bioremediation, and phytoremediation. Earlier we had no proper methodology for segregation. Many landfills did not have geo liners below them. But now the landfill is not spreading any smell or any harm, but the water level has depleted and contaminated. We can see how people living in surrounding areas are affected with illness. They do not have proper flora or fauna in the surrounding areas. In one of the areas which was barren earlier, we have found 30 species of fauna. So capping is a major technique to solve the problems of landfill. Biomining and bioremediation are techniques which involve segregation of wet and dry waste. The dry waste goes into the machine to get fully segregated. The wet waste is decomposed, and leachate is processed for ground water recharge. The decomposed material is converted into fertiliser to help the farms nearby. The rest of the materials go to the landfill. Phytoremediation involves planting more trees to help in mitigating or breaking down the complex materials in the MSW dump. In Jamshedpur, the land was covered to save the surface from water contamination. So phytoremediation is the concept being worked on by people. USA has done a good job in this regard and converted 200 hectares of land into safe zone.
What is the difference between landfill liner and landfill cap, and why are both essential for landfill management?
Landfill liners have two types – geosynthetic used when developing a landfill site where MSW dump or segregated waste is dumped to prevent mixing with the ground water and contaminate it. The pit-based one is placed on the ground, and the one for caping the entire project. The top liners are synthetic based and biodegradable. We use mat liners or jute mat liners or synthetic liners. Top layered liners depend on the nature of landfill. The duration, key components, and nutrient values suggest which liner should be used on the top.
What are the environmental risks associated with improperly designed or managed landfills, and how do containment techniques mitigate the risks?
If there is a river adjacent to the improperly maintained landfill, and if we do not use landfill technologies, there will be plastic accumulation in the river, and the entire surface water from the dump yard will also go into the rivers. When it is unattended, with no proper design or area demarcated, with garbage being dumped constantly, it will contaminate the whole area. We have often found syringes or other household items in the landfill. So this creates an environmental hazard for people living nearby due to air pollution, water and soil pollution.
What role does soil capping play in the closure and post-closure management of landfills, and what are the benefits?
When we do a capping project, we cannot just put a liner over there and leave it as over the time, it will get damaged. There is a risk of wear and tear for the liners. So by following an aesthetic method, we can grow trees and see greenery. Scientifically it creates a layer which helps in mitigating the surface runoff of soil and pollutants and improves the biological index of the area. Then it improves fauna and microbes, and it will be biologically diversified and beneficial. Just within a year, we have converted the area into a beautiful park.
How do engineers and scientists determine appropriate type of liner material to use in landfill, and what factors influence their decision?
Certain parameters have to be fulfilled to determine the kind of liners or techniques to be used. It is not just the liners that are to be determined, but it is the technology that needs to be used. This happens due to the nature of landfill and reuse of land, and availability of funds because each such project is cost effective.
What are the challenges associated with long term monitoring and maintenance of landfill containment system, and how can they be addressed?
From the moment the project starts, parameters like ground water quality, nearby area soil quality, and nutrients should be considered. The ambience and air quality must be monitored. Once the project is completed with the techniques, daily monitoring must be done. Nowadays ground water quality management systems are available as also for air. Soil testing can be done at regular intervals as suggested. We should ensure no adverse effects are noticed in that area. There should be proper communication.
Are there any innovative or emerging technologies for landfill containment that have potential to improve environmental performance and safety?
Phytoremediation and bioremediation are the modern techniques and innovative ones. Scientists & researchers are working on it as bioremediation needs segregation. Phytoremediation involves planting more trees and specific varieties of plants and shrubs. It involves small microbes and organisms.
How does climate change impact the design and maintenance of landfill containment systems in regions prone to extreme weather events?
People in hilly areas dump garbage on hill slopes. This can cause landslides. Areas which are adversely affected by climate change, there are techniques or methods, we must use better liners and capping to withstand the weather changes. Liners are often GSM based, and changes happen during every project.
Can you provide examples of successful landfill containment projects and the positive environmental outcomes?
We are working with Jamshedpur Tata Steel and developed the entire area in the last 4 years with 30 fauna species. The biodiversity of the area has increased with better air quality. Capping and protecting the 82 thousand sq. m area has increased the living standards of people there. Rainwater harvesting systems collect the surface water and send to collection pit. Dalma View Point, Nature Trail , Bara Old Dump Capping are some of the successful projects in Jamshedpur.
Are you working with state governments? Is yours a private company?
Yes, with both states and central governments we work. Our name of the company is Malancha, founded by my mother who is interested in horticulture, and has studied in this field. We have learnt to understand trees, nature, and environment from her. Horticulture is a huge field now and new subject. We learn to avoid any improper planting. We are working all over India & Abroad, and completed various projects for Government, P.S.U & private companies over the last 20 years. We specialize in Landscaping, Horticulture, Industrial Landscaping, Design & Planning, Specialized projects like the topic discussed above, and Turnkey projects.
Mr. Abhirup Sikdar
Malancha
P-29 CIT SCHEME VI MS KOLKATA - 700054
BEHIND KANKURGACHI PANTALOONS
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL 700054
Email : abhirup@malancha.co.in
Phone : 9748761678
We have seen in our daily routine people throwing garbage outside. This is collected and thrown in to landfill sites and open areas which are not nurtured or taken proper care of. It leads to degradation of surroundings, water, soil, and air over the years. We must ensure that the landfills are taken care of with the help of good liners so that it does not spoil the surrounding areas, no contamination, and affecting the ground water. MSW is a major component of land fill, and there is a high possibility of methane production in these landfill areas which often leads to fire in the landfill areas which is again detrimental to the surroundings. So, governments and other departments have laid down certain guidelines on how to make the landfills.
Nowadays, we create an area which is very dep from the existing layout, put geo liners or poly sheets so that the dumped material does not contaminate the soil. It has many benefits as we put gas pipes to collect methane and other gases which go directly into methane gas chamber or aeration chamber where it is further segregated and used for biofuel usage. When rain or other water comes into MSW dump, they react with the existing materials and start collecting at the base level. So, we also plant and set up pumping stations which collect the entire leachate water which is processed and released.
Since MSW or landfill consists of household things also, there are many biodegradable materials in the dump yards. So soil capping is a technique to cover the entire dump by greenery. It is of two types – geosynthetic based caps and vegetative caps. The synthetic capping was done in Jamshedpur. We cleaned the entire area covering the soil with sand to make the base layer so that the rainwater or other waste water does not percolate deep in the existing MSW which has been there since many years. Then plantation is done. The water running down the slopes is collected into chambers and filtered and released into the ground. There are certain standards to be followed when applying bio capping or soil capping projects, regularly checked, or do a daily monitoring.
Geosynthetic capping liners are put over the pit and covered fully. Soil is spread and grass grown. In many MSW pits, removing the entire dump is very difficult. Biomining is a part, and bioremediation is part of this process. To ensure landfill gas management, pipes are installed to collect the methane and other gases. Leachate treatment to monitor ground water is part of the entire project. If the parameters are not met, the ground water quality will deplete over the time. Soil remedial technique, capping, and phytoremediation are the other techniques used. bioremediation is bio mining popular in India but has some limitations. We have to segregate dry and wet waste as otherwise the machines cannot function properly. We need to educate people about the methodology and the benefits of the technique. The regulatory framework is done by Central Pollution Control Board and other regulatory bodies by following certain norms. Regular compliance is needed in all these projects.
The main challenge in these kinds of projects is funding as bio capping or bioremediation is a huge fund based activity. There is inadequate infrastructure in our country, by people are working towards that, with government initiatives. Many people are not compliant with these kinds of work as they do not have enough knowledge and fail to understand how harmful it is to them. We have to educate them to achieve success. The future of environmental containment technologies lies in our hands as we keep working, and a lot of researches are going on. The landfills are used for decomposing and generate electricity. The rainwater harvesting systems are installed in landfills.
How did you get interest in this particular project?
I was part of a horticulture company, our family business, and we got the clue from one of our clients to bring in this new technology to develop a certain area. We often find that people do not segregate the waste. When we start segregating the garbage, the government or civic bodies working on a daily basis to mitigate the landfill problems and containment, it will become easy for them. So this thought process brought me to this idea of landfill and containment technologies. Since a long time we are working on this project. Segregation is there since a few years, but people are not serious about it. When we see the municipal dumping yard, we see dry waste, mechanical waste, electronics waste, and even wet waste. But many cities like Jamshedpur have made people aware of the problems, but many cities are not aware of why such segregation is needed. We have to approach every strata of society to solve the problem.
What are the key components of modern landfill containment system, and how have they evolved over time?
The key components are capping, bioremediation, and phytoremediation. Earlier we had no proper methodology for segregation. Many landfills did not have geo liners below them. But now the landfill is not spreading any smell or any harm, but the water level has depleted and contaminated. We can see how people living in surrounding areas are affected with illness. They do not have proper flora or fauna in the surrounding areas. In one of the areas which was barren earlier, we have found 30 species of fauna. So capping is a major technique to solve the problems of landfill. Biomining and bioremediation are techniques which involve segregation of wet and dry waste. The dry waste goes into the machine to get fully segregated. The wet waste is decomposed, and leachate is processed for ground water recharge. The decomposed material is converted into fertiliser to help the farms nearby. The rest of the materials go to the landfill. Phytoremediation involves planting more trees to help in mitigating or breaking down the complex materials in the MSW dump. In Jamshedpur, the land was covered to save the surface from water contamination. So phytoremediation is the concept being worked on by people. USA has done a good job in this regard and converted 200 hectares of land into safe zone.
What is the difference between landfill liner and landfill cap, and why are both essential for landfill management?
Landfill liners have two types – geosynthetic used when developing a landfill site where MSW dump or segregated waste is dumped to prevent mixing with the ground water and contaminate it. The pit-based one is placed on the ground, and the one for caping the entire project. The top liners are synthetic based and biodegradable. We use mat liners or jute mat liners or synthetic liners. Top layered liners depend on the nature of landfill. The duration, key components, and nutrient values suggest which liner should be used on the top.
What are the environmental risks associated with improperly designed or managed landfills, and how do containment techniques mitigate the risks?
If there is a river adjacent to the improperly maintained landfill, and if we do not use landfill technologies, there will be plastic accumulation in the river, and the entire surface water from the dump yard will also go into the rivers. When it is unattended, with no proper design or area demarcated, with garbage being dumped constantly, it will contaminate the whole area. We have often found syringes or other household items in the landfill. So this creates an environmental hazard for people living nearby due to air pollution, water and soil pollution.
What role does soil capping play in the closure and post-closure management of landfills, and what are the benefits?
When we do a capping project, we cannot just put a liner over there and leave it as over the time, it will get damaged. There is a risk of wear and tear for the liners. So by following an aesthetic method, we can grow trees and see greenery. Scientifically it creates a layer which helps in mitigating the surface runoff of soil and pollutants and improves the biological index of the area. Then it improves fauna and microbes, and it will be biologically diversified and beneficial. Just within a year, we have converted the area into a beautiful park.
How do engineers and scientists determine appropriate type of liner material to use in landfill, and what factors influence their decision?
Certain parameters have to be fulfilled to determine the kind of liners or techniques to be used. It is not just the liners that are to be determined, but it is the technology that needs to be used. This happens due to the nature of landfill and reuse of land, and availability of funds because each such project is cost effective.
What are the challenges associated with long term monitoring and maintenance of landfill containment system, and how can they be addressed?
From the moment the project starts, parameters like ground water quality, nearby area soil quality, and nutrients should be considered. The ambience and air quality must be monitored. Once the project is completed with the techniques, daily monitoring must be done. Nowadays ground water quality management systems are available as also for air. Soil testing can be done at regular intervals as suggested. We should ensure no adverse effects are noticed in that area. There should be proper communication.
Are there any innovative or emerging technologies for landfill containment that have potential to improve environmental performance and safety?
Phytoremediation and bioremediation are the modern techniques and innovative ones. Scientists & researchers are working on it as bioremediation needs segregation. Phytoremediation involves planting more trees and specific varieties of plants and shrubs. It involves small microbes and organisms.
How does climate change impact the design and maintenance of landfill containment systems in regions prone to extreme weather events?
People in hilly areas dump garbage on hill slopes. This can cause landslides. Areas which are adversely affected by climate change, there are techniques or methods, we must use better liners and capping to withstand the weather changes. Liners are often GSM based, and changes happen during every project.
Can you provide examples of successful landfill containment projects and the positive environmental outcomes?
We are working with Jamshedpur Tata Steel and developed the entire area in the last 4 years with 30 fauna species. The biodiversity of the area has increased with better air quality. Capping and protecting the 82 thousand sq. m area has increased the living standards of people there. Rainwater harvesting systems collect the surface water and send to collection pit. Dalma View Point, Nature Trail , Bara Old Dump Capping are some of the successful projects in Jamshedpur.
Are you working with state governments? Is yours a private company?
Yes, with both states and central governments we work. Our name of the company is Malancha, founded by my mother who is interested in horticulture, and has studied in this field. We have learnt to understand trees, nature, and environment from her. Horticulture is a huge field now and new subject. We learn to avoid any improper planting. We are working all over India & Abroad, and completed various projects for Government, P.S.U & private companies over the last 20 years. We specialize in Landscaping, Horticulture, Industrial Landscaping, Design & Planning, Specialized projects like the topic discussed above, and Turnkey projects.
Mr. Abhirup Sikdar
Malancha
P-29 CIT SCHEME VI MS KOLKATA - 700054
BEHIND KANKURGACHI PANTALOONS
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL 700054
Email : abhirup@malancha.co.in
Phone : 9748761678
Last edited: