Case study of a full-scale evapotranspiration cover

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
By: , and 

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Abstract

The design, construction, and performance analyses of a 6.1ha evapotranspiration (ET) landfill cover at the semiarid U.S. Army Fort Carson site, near Colorado Springs, Colo. are presented. Initial water-balance model simulations, using literature reported soil hydraulic data, aided selection of borrow-source soil type(s) that resulted in predictions of negligible annual drainage (⩽1mm∕year). Final construction design was based on refined water-balance simulations using laboratory determined soil hydraulic values from borrow area natural soil horizons that were described with USDA soil classification methods. Cover design components included a 122cm thick clay loam (USDA), compaction ⩽80% of the standard Proctor maximum dry density (dry bulk density ∼1.3Mg/m3), erosion control measures, top soil amended with biosolids, and seeding with native grasses. Favorable hydrologic performance for a 5year period was documented by lysimeter-measured and Richards’-based calculations of annual drainage that were all <0.4mm∕year. Water potential data suggest that ET removed water that infiltrated the cover and contributed to a persistent driving force for upward flow and removal of water from below the base of the cover.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Case study of a full-scale evapotranspiration cover
Series title Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2009)135:3(316)
Volume 135
Issue 3
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher ASCE
Contributing office(s) Nevada Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 17 p.
First page 316
Last page 332
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