Question

A ______________ landfill has a thick plastic liner, and two or more layers of compacted clay and a gravel bed, from which drains collect material leaching from the landfill. Testing wells allow monitoring for escaping contaminants or combustible methane.

A. sanitary
B. hazardous
C. biodegradable
D. municipal

Answer 1

A sanitary landfill has a thick plastic liner, layers of compacted clay, a gravel bed for leachate collection, and testing wells for monitoring, making it an environmentally safer option for municipal solid waste disposal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of landfill described in the question, which involves a thick plastic liner and multiple layers of compacted clay, as well as a gravel bed with drains to collect leachate, and includes testing wells for monitoring contaminants and methane, is known as a sanitary landfill. Sanitary landfills are designed to manage the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) while minimizing environmental impacts by containing and monitoring any potential pollutants that arise from the waste material.

This type of landfill is part of an integrated waste management strategy that considers the challenges and environmental impacts of other waste disposal methods like incineration and is subject to stringent regulations to protect soil, groundwater, and air resources.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A. sanitary, which describes a landfill with a protective liner and systems to manage leachate and prevent environmental contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

A sanitary landfill has a thick plastic liner, and two or more layers of compacted clay and a gravel bed, from which drains collect material leaching from the landfill. Testing wells allow monitoring for escaping contaminants or combustible methane. The correct answer to the question is A. sanitary.

Landfills and incineration are the two primary methods of waste disposal. Landfills are engineered areas where waste is isolated from the environment until it is safe. A sanitary landfill includes various systems to treat leachate and prevent contamination of groundwater. Such practices aid in reducing the risks associated with waste disposal, including smog and air pollution from incineration, and groundwater contamination from landfill. Proper disposal and land pollution management are essential for a cleaner environment.