Landfill rehabilitation - Degradation mechanisms and impacts

The human activity of waste storage really dates back to the beginnings of the industrial era, when product consumption led to the production of waste in excess of the environment's capacity to assimilate it. The technical nature of this activity has progressed considerably, and changes in the vocabulary used to name the facilities concerned reflect the regulatory evolution of the texts governing them: initially referred to as landfill sites, then technical landfill centers (CET), the terms waste storage centers (CSD) or waste storage facilities (ISD) are now used.

These developments have left behind a variety of sites with significant pollution potential, which can generate impacts and risks that need to be assessed and, if necessary, dealt with.

Landfill is still the dominant disposal method, due to the simplicity of the process and its cost. However, the closure of sites is now subject to strict authorizations, and the issue of rehabilitation is mainly focused on old sites.

The field of landfills is at the crossroads of many scientific fields, such as hydrogeology, rudology, biology, hydraulics and hydrology, water and gas treatment, ecology, health and risk assessment, etc., and requires a multidisciplinary approach. This article is therefore intended to be general in nature, and readers may wish to refer to the various specialized articles cited in the following sections. .

The work to be carried out to eliminate or reduce impacts, risks and nuisances must, in view of its financial impact, be subject to a proportionate analysis. Preliminary diagnosis is an important stage in the success of a rehabilitation project.