The Role of Bentonite in Soil Sealing Applications

Research Article| November 01, 1982 The Role of Bentonite in Soil Sealing Applications G. R. ALTHER G. R. ALTHER International Minerals and Chemical Corporation 666 Garland Place, Des Plaines, IL 60016 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (1982) xix (4): 401–409. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xix.4.401 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation G. R. ALTHER; The Role of Bentonite in Soil Sealing Applications. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 1982;; xix (4): 401–409. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xix.4.401 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract The use of bentonite as a natural soil sealant has experienced a phe­nomenal increase over the past 15 years. Swelling bentonites, which occur mainly in Wyoming, are exported all over the world for various uses, in­cluding the sealing of ponds, lagoons, and landfills and as a component of the slurry in slurry trenching. The natural swelling and adsorption capacity of bentonites are of tremendous value in the sealing off and containment of industrial waste sites. Landfills and lagoons are often constructed in areas where the natural soils have a permeability that is not consistent with safety standards. Admixing 5 to 15 percent bentonite into those soils will quickly reduce the natural permeability to the desired levels.All landfills require a cap once they are filled, to prevent the formation of a “bathtub” full of water and commensurate generation of excessive leachate. A cap consists of a 4 to 6 in. layer of soil-bentonite and two to three ft of natural soil, to allow for vegetation.Over the years, many hazardous waste sites have contaminated the ground water to such a degree that it is not fit for drinking. These sites can be encapsulated by constructing a slurry cut-off wall. These trenches are filled with a bentonite or cement-bentonite slurry during excavation and then backfilled with natural soil or a soil-bentonite mixture.The most important aspects of using bentonites as waste site sealants are the proper installation of the sealing systems and a knowledge of the limitations of bentonites regarding resistance to contamination. Types of bentonite, installation practices, and testing methods are discussed in this paper. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.