Full Description

Special Publication 157

Chemical Containment within the Geosphere deals with chemical processes within the geosphere that may be harnessed to contain a wide range of wastes, a topic of major importance for sound environmental management. Both technical and philosophical issues concerning waste containment are considered. The book contains contributions from experts in mant waste containment technologies and covers a number of issues, ranging from the regulation of radioactive waste management to the design of liners for landfills and the management of mine wastes. An introductory contribution highlights the underlying principles that are common to all forms of waste management by geological means, and that rely to some extent upon chemical containment. The remainder of the book is divided into six sections: 1. The place of chemical containment in regulatory frameworks. 2. Chemical containment properties of the deep geosphere. 3. The role of chemical containment in clay barriers. 4. Chemical containment properties of cementitious engineering barriers. 5. Containment of metalliferous wastes. 6. Investigative methods. The book will appeal to all those who are concerned with technical aspects of waste management. Established researchers will benefit from the multi-disciplinary character of the volume. Regulators and planners concerned with waste management will be able to gain an overview of major technical issues relevant to waste containment. The volume will also be a useful source for post-graduate level students of environmental science, waste management and geochemistry.