ABSTRACT

The objective of this chapter is twofold. First, to discuss the mass of contaminant and its influence on the potential impact of a landfill on groundwater, and, second, to examine how some very simple finite layer models can be readily used to assess the impact of contaminant migration through clay barriers for a range of situations and combinations of parameters. Many of the examples relate to clayey barriers underlain by a thin natural aquifer (e.g., Figures 1.2-1.4) since this is a common occurrence in many areas; however, similar analyses can also be performed for compacted clay liners constructed over an engineered drainage layer (e.g., see Figures 1.5-1.8) or for designs involving cut off walls or permeable surrounds (e.g., see Figure 1.9).