Principles of MSW Landfill Sites’ Placement Depending on Geological and Hydrogeological Conditions of Territories (Based on Moscow Region)

Abstract

More than 31 billion tons of unutilized waste have accumulated in Russia, and this amount is increasing every year. The dump sites’ locations require profound scientific analysis. When choosing areas for landfill sites with minimal environmental damage to surrounding areas, it is necessary to consider the following aspects: the degree of suitability of natural conditions, the engineering and geological features of the territories, including the lithological, soil, hydrological and hydrogeological, geofiltration conditions of territories, as well as the presence of settlements and sanitary zones around them, etc. At present, the choice of sites for landfills is carried out without engineering and geological surveys, without taking into account the presence of geochemical barriers and the depth to groundwater. The negative impact on the environment of MSW landfills, the design of which was carried out without taking into account the geological structure and hydrogeological conditions of the territories where they were located, was considered.