Application of Termite Mound-Bentonite Mixture as Bottom Liner for Industrial Waste Containment

Abstract

The indiscriminate disposal of waste into various dumpsites with noncompliance to the existing environmental laws and the inadequate provision for leachate containments had resulted in the degradation of environmental resources over the years. The research investigated the practicability of enhanced termite mound-bentonite mixture as an alternate landfill bottom liner. The percentage weight ratio of mound soil and bentonite used for the experimental study were (100:0), (95:5), (90:10) and (85:15) respectively. The study was conducted on a pilot scale artificial landfill (800 x 800 x 400 mm) with four sections AX, AY, BX and BY. Bottom liner was exposed to wastewater for 26 weeks retention period. The pilot scale experimental study revealed that liner mixtures in sections AX, AY and BX failed during the 6, 11 and 17th week retention periods respectively with a corresponding seepage amounting to , and mm3 respectively. However, no seepage was recorded for liner mixture in section BY which connotes that wastewater leakage was prevented throughout the experimental framework. Conclusively, the application of termite mound soil enhanced with 15% bentonite is recommended as a bottom liner in a waste containment system.