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Identify whether the following statements about sanitary landfill are true or false. Statement I: There is continuous evolution of foul gases near the fill side. Statement II: During rainy season, leachate may come out of the dump. Statement III: The method requires further treatments for completion.
Statements I and II are false and Statement III is true
Statement I is true, but Statements II and III are false
Statements I and II are true, but Statement III is false
Statements I and III are true, but Statement II is false
Statements I and II are true, but Statement III is false
A sanitary landfill is a facility designed to dispose of solid waste in a way that minimizes environmental impact through site selection, design, and operation. Statement I is true because organic matter undergoes anaerobic decomposition producing gases like methane (CH4тАЛ) and hydrogen sulfide (H2тАЛS). Statement II is true because rainwater infiltration generates contaminated liquid known as leachate, which requires collection systems.
CPHEEO Manual on Municipal Solid Waste Management
A sanitary landfill is a facility designed to dispose of solid waste in a way that minimizes environmental impact through site selection, design, and operation. Statement I is true because organic matter undergoes anaerobic decomposition producing gases like methane (CH4тАЛ) and hydrogen sulfide (H2тАЛS). Statement II is true because rainwater infiltration generates contaminated liquid known as leachate, which requires collection systems.
BOD┬аof┬аLeachate=Concentration┬аof┬аorganic┬аpollutants
Gas┬аGenerationтИЭOrganic┬аcontent├ЧTime
Waste is spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with soil daily. Biological degradation occurs in stages: (1) Aerobic phase, (2) Acid phase, (3) Acetogenic phase, and (4) Methanogenic phase. Leachate is produced due to the percolation of moisture through the compacted waste mass, which then requires collection through a liner and drainage system.
Daily cover prevents odors and vectors.
Leachate collection system protects groundwater.
Sanitary landfills are considered a final disposal method, not a treatment requiring further processing of the waste mass itself once landfilled.
Gas vents or collection systems are necessary to manage explosive methane accumulation.
Cost-effective for large volumes of waste
Can handle various types of waste simultaneously
High potential for groundwater contamination if liner fails
Long-term monitoring required even after closure
Final disposal of municipal solid waste
Land reclamation for non-structural uses
Statement III is false because the sanitary landfill is classified as a 'final disposal' method. While monitoring and post-closure care are required, the landfill process itself does not require 'further treatment' of the waste as part of its function.
The official answer identifies Statements I and II as true, making Option C the correct choice.
C is correct тАФ Statements I and II correctly identify the physical and biochemical processes of decomposition and leachate formation, while Statement III incorrectly identifies the method as requiring further treatment.
Remember that 'Sanitary Landfill' is distinct from 'Dumpsites' or 'Incineration'; it specifically includes engineered barriers like clay liners and HDPE sheets to prevent leachate migration.