Evaluating barrier performance of geomembranes against 1,4-dioxane and bisphenol a in landfill leachates

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that within a month benzene easily passes through geomembranes (PVC, LDPE, and HDPE geomembranes). This study uses diffusive permeation tests to clarify the barrier performance of geomembranes against bisphenol A and 1,4-dioxane, which have been detected in some Japanese waste leachates. Although dissolved bisphenol A can be adsorbed on the geomembranes, it does not pass through them during the testing period (at least 400 days are required for it to completely pass through 0.5-mm-thick PVC geomembranes). In addition, dissolved 1,4-dioxane is not adsorbed on any geomembranes and hardly passes through any of them (at least five years are required for it to completely pass through 0.5-mm-thick PVC geomembranes). Thus, geomembranes exhibit a good barrier performance against these two organic compounds, especially 1,4-dioxane.