- 2150 feet below surface - Salt is geologically stable and flows plastically under high pressure - Region is tectonically stable - Arid env w/ little precip.

Alternative Land Disposal - Exam II Material Flashcards by Michael DeGuenther

Environmental Effects of Mining

Dmg to land
Health and Safety of Workers
Dust Pollution
Noise Pollution
Release of Toxic Substances

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Environmental Effects of Mining: Smelters

On-site processing
Emission of SO2, NOx, and CO2
Particulate matter carrying metals

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Injection of hot fluids, acid solutions, or microbes

In-situ mining

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Bulk material removed in mining that is generally used for backfilling in modern mines

Waste Dumps

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Oxidation of sulfide minerals, releases metals and free hydrogen into solution

Acid Mine Drainage

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Factors for Disposal / Storage in Conventional Mines

Hydrologic Conditions
Depth
Mine Stability
Safety

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Factors to be considered for Radioactive Waste Disposal

Geologic Stability
Natural Resources
Hydrogeology
Rock Characteristics
Depth
Geo-Chemical Resistance

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Repository for transuranic waste, suited for housing high grade waste in the future
**Located in New Mexico

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

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WIPP Geology

2150 feet below surface
Salt is geologically stable and flows plastically under high pressure
Region is tectonically stable
Arid env w/ little precip.

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WIPP History

Operations began in 1999

Expected lifespan until 2070

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Facilities designed to hold an accumulation of liquid wastes or wastes containing free liquids

Surface impoundments

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Used as treatment facilities where incoming and outflowing wastes are either in steady state or in an intermittent state.

Treatment-Type Surface Impoundment

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Storage structures that are designed to accommodate some liquid surge / equalization

Storage-Type Surface Impoundment

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Waste evaporation and disposal impoundments

Nondischarge-Type Surface Impoundment

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Cover impoundments during rainy season, uncover during the dry season

Removable Covers

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Float directly upon waste product and move up and down with product
**Large impoundments

Floating Covers

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Geomembrane fixed at upper edge of impoundment that is domed towards center
** Small impoundments

Fixed Cover

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Removal, sampling to verify decontamination and backfilling

Clean Closure

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Treatment of contaminated media at site followed by installation of a final cover over the treated waste

In-Place Closure

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Practice of using soils as a medium for the simultaneous disposal and treatment of hazardous waste

Land Farming

What is land farming best suited for?

Petroleum wastes

- Sewage sludge

Goal of land farming?

To degrade, transform and immobolize waste through natural biodegredation

Disposal of waste products into geologic formations down boreholes

Deep Well Injection

Injection of hazardous / nonhazardous waste from industrial / municipal waste into a geologic formation

Class I Well

Petroleum exploration and injection of formation fluids brought up during petroleum production and enhanced recovery of petroleum

Class II Well

Wells used for mineral extraction, including solution mining

Class III Wells

Injection for disposal of radioactive or HW into or above USDW

Class IV Wells

All other wells that do not fit into the 4 other classes of injection

Class V Wells

The separation of wastewater into a treated effluent that can be safely released into the environment and solid waste or sludge

Sewage Treatment

Household wastewater that includes feces and urine

Blackwater

Any household wastewater that does not include feces or urine

Greywater

Screening to remove of large items that might clog pumps and pipes; settling

Pretreatment

Sedimentation tanks used to separate sludge

Primary Treatment

Aerobic microbes are used to degrade sewage water

Secondary Treatment

Additional clarification of water through use of filtration

Tertiary Treatment

Treatment to reduce the number of microorganisms that are released back into the env.

Disinfection

25% of the US population is not on a municipal sewage system. What do they use instead?

Septic Tank System

Domestic sewage treatment that involves aerobic degradation of waste instead of he typical anaerobic septic systems

Aerobic Treatment System

What is the most common preservative used today?

Formalin

Outer enclosure that surrounds the casket made of concrete, plastic or metal

Burial Vault

Side and cover cap for casket to prevent grave collapse

Burial Liner

Common from the 18th to the early 20th century, where fluids were drained and replaced in order to transport soldiers home

Arsenic preservation

High temperature waste treatment system through combustion of organic materials and / or substances

Incineration

What class of wells is associated with petroleum exploration and injection of formation fluids brought up during petroleum production and enhanced recovery of petroleum?

Class II

What is the name of the only active underground disposal facility for transuranic waste in the U.S.?

WIPP

What type of minin operation is conducted most often to extract lignite in East Texas?

Open pit

What type of mining uses injection of hot fluids to melt minerals in the subsurface that are then pumped to the surface and precipitated?

In situ

What term describes temporary, subsurface storage facilities for hazardous waste, military waste, and radioactive waste that are usually composed of reinforced concrete with liners depending on purpose?

Concrete vaults and Bunkers