Containment

Monitoring wells indicate that as much as 1,200 pounds of sulfates a day are escaping through the bottom of a power company's coal ash pond. The pond lacks a geosynthetic liner and dates to the mid-1970s. A recent report, “Slow Motion Spills,” found that all eight coal ash ponds in Kentucky located near monitoring wells were polluting groundwater. An additional 36 ash ponds do not even have water quality monitors. Learn more here.;

Over at the Aiken Standard, writer Mike Gellatly reports on the closure of the General Separations Area Consolidated Unit (GSACU) in the Savannah River Site, a 310 sq. m. section of land owned by the US Department of Energy. The site managed radioactive materials for government, industry and other endeavors during the Cold War Era. It was added to the National Priorities List in 1989 and has now been successfully capped with geosynthetics. Learn more here.;

On the verge of China's 60th anniversary of its ruling Communist Party, environmental protests have cropped up over the pollution caused by the countries breakneck expansion. Thousands of protesters, many of whom work or have worked in the plants causing some much environmental damage, have clashed with riot police in numerous cities. Even hostages are reported to have been taken. Learn more here.;

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is concerned over too little regulation and oversight in some mining operations in the state. One uranium mine that was inspected recently as cited for numerous problems, including a number of pour patches on a geomembrane and an unchecked pipe penetrating one of the pond liners. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica.net has moved its physical office and now has a new phone number. The new address and phone contact information are as follows: Geosynthetica.net, 1934 Commerce Lane Ste. 4, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; phone +1 561 768 9487. The central geosynthetica.net emails and personnel remain the same: Elizabeth Peggs, Managing Director: Elizabeth@geosynthetica.net; Chris Kelsey, Editor/Writer: chris@geosynthetica.net; and David Cabrera, Web Developer: david@geosynthetica.net.

A group of former National Recycling Coalition presidents are making a run at saving the financially troubled organization. A total of 12 former presidents of the group sent a letter to the NRC board dated September 24 seeking reconsideration of a recent decision to filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Read more. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), Folsom, Pennsylvania will be holding its next GSI Short Courses on March 22 and 23. A certification exam will also be offered on March 24. The opportunities are: "Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Liner and Cover Design," March 22; "Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Geosynthetics Installation," March 23; and the Examination for Inspector Certification, March 24. Read more about these events and download a registration brochure.

Last year, Geosynthetica reported on a large erosion control study being directed by Germany-based SKZ. Now, SKZ is shedding more light on this research. On 5 May 2011, a special event will be held to take attendees through the site-based research: "Formulation and verification of selection criteria for geosynthetic surface erosion control systems." A main focus for this data will be to better assist in road construction erosion and sediment control. Read more.

The International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Environmental Connection 2012 (EC12) event will be at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, 26-29 February 2012. In the latest newsletter from the world's largest annual erosion and sediment control show, the organizers reveal some new short courses, a field tour, registration info, hotel/travel info, and more.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is facing steep public opposition to a mostly revived proposal to lease more than 2 million acres of land in Western Colorado, Wyoning and Utah for the development of oil shale extraction and oil sands harvesting and conversion. Learn more here.;

Two of the largest waste management firms in the United States, Republic Services and Allied Waste Management, are in merger talks, Thomson Financial reports. The potential deal might see Republic purchasing Allied but using Allied's name for all operations and using a Phoenix headquarters. The $7 billion deal has sent both stocks lower on the news. Learn more here.;

On March 4, HUESKER will host a free greenroofs and geocomposites webinar. The core focus will be on the use of Ultimat® TGS geocomposites and how these geosynthetic materials...

The Journal of Environmental Quality's (JEQ) most recent issue includes "Can Urban Tree Roots Improve Infiltration through Compacted Subsoils for Stormwater Management?" The researchers who produced the article examined the effects of root penetrations on water infiltration and examined water detention system using special soil arrangements and geotextile separation fabrics. “Manipulating root penetration through these separation geotextiles could potentially play a large role in bioretention system function and design," says the project lead, Susan Day of Virginia Tech. Learn more here.;

Tensar's main United Kingdom office has been awarded the North West Greater China Business Award. The Blackburn-based firm was presented with the award at the North West Greater China Business Awards at a banquet hosted by UK Trade and Investment and the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The awards recognize businesses and organizations that are cultivating strong trade links with China. Learn more here.;

In the United States, aquaculture standards are differ, at times considerably, from state to state. But a new plan to harmonize the field's standards within the country is gaining key support, such as from the National Aquaculture Association (NAA). Learn more here.;

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) has experienced dramatic membership growth since the kick-off meeting held on 26 February 2009 in Salt Lake City. (The meeting was held in conjunction with the Geosynthetics 2009 conference.) Andrew Mills has headed the membership recruitment efforts for FGI. As a result of Mr. Mills' efforts, 15 companies have joined at the manufacturing membership level; six companies have joined at the fabricator/installer membership level; and five companies have joined at the associate level membership. Read more in the release.

ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has issued a work item, WK29716 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Nonreinforced Geomembrane Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods. This is a work item revision to existing standard D6392-08. Learn more here.;

Since 1977, the time of the first geosynthetics conference in Paris, geosynthetics have emerged as exciting engineering materials in a wide array of civil engineering applications, e.g., transportation, geotechnical, geoenvironmental, hydraulics, and private development. To provide a deeper understanding of this subject matter, author Robert M. Koerner presents Designing with Geosynthetics - 6th Edition, which contains two volumes, released through Xlibris.

For the erosion-ravaged coast along Noosa Spit in Australia, tenders for the $1.6 million council first-stage plans, which involves geotextile bags and rock groyne, close this week. Learn more here.;

Mother Earth News is encouraging the use of EPDM geomembrane liners for backyard ponds. A current article describes the basic steps one needs to take to create a water-saving and wildlife-encouraging pond. EPDM liners from manufacturers such as Firestone are applied not just on small-scale home use but larger scale use by industry, golf courses, fish hatcheries and other environments. Learn more here.;

The use of geosynthetics in mining operations grows annually, as mining companies focus on the technical and economic advantages of geosynthetics. These materials have enabled more efficient barriers, stronger...

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) lengthy I-99 Skytop road construction is finally nearing completion after five years of questions surrounding how to contain the old acid rock unearthed during the project. High-denstiy polyethylene (HDPE) liner has been used to make the former spoils site safe for the last stage of roadworks. Learn more here.;

Southern California Edison is dropping the level of Shaver Lake to 73 feet below the dam's spill level, in order to expedite its two-year dam maintenance project. The utility is resurfacing the 83-year-old concrete dam with a geomembrane liner designed to prolong the dam's life and prevent leakage. Learn more here.;

By Bruno Pedroni and Chris Kelsey – When BW Expo 2017 takes place in São Paulo 7 – 9 June 2017, it will do so with a first for...

One of the primary functions of a geotextile is protection, such as for a geomembrane. The strength of the fabric has brought it to another realm for protection, though: demolition. Geotextiles are wrapped around key blast points at demolition sites to contain the outward throw of debris, as demonstrated by a project in Oregon. Learn more here.;