No feet of clay

Abstract

The key to waste stabilization is to produce a material that minimizes the leaching rate of hazardous pollutants. Conventional agents, such as cement, cement kiln dust or fly ash, are successful in stabilizing metal-bearing wastes, but they are generally less effective when used exclusively with organic wastes. The relatively new, organically modified clays can help solve the problem. When these clays are mixed with conventional stabilization agents, they adsorb and retain pollutants while solidifying organic wastes into a stable mass with low leaching potential. Organically modified clays may also be used for water treatment, and they have shown potential for spill control and as tank and landfill liners. Their future use in landfills is especially crucial because of EPA's concern that both geomembrane and natural clay liners may be subject to degradation in the presence of organic contaminants. This paper describes organically modified clay application methods.