ABSTRACT
The industrial revolution of the late 18th century brought about new paradigms, including unprecedented and sustained population growth and a shift from a manual labor economy towards machine-based manufacturing. As a result, generations of industrial and domestic waste started to accumulate, resulting in new problems related to waste management and site contamination. As industrialization increases and populations rise, the amount of waste inevitably will surpass the natural capacity of ecosystems to self-purifiy. The continued production of waste during the last few decades has exceeded this capacity and has caused disorder, instability, harm, or discomfort to these ecosystems.
