A Sustainable Approach for Hydraulic Control of Landfills Using Quarry Scalpings and Native Plants

Abstract

Phytocovers have been proposed as an alternative to traditional barrier covers, with aims to improve long-term environmental performance and reduce the fi nancial burden of closure costs, particularly for rural landfi lls. This research is exploring the potential for a phytocover to be implemented at a landfi ll in southeast Australia. Opportunities exist at this site to use basalt quarry scalpings typical of the Victorian extractive industry for purposes of the cover substrate, while vegetation selection has focused on indigenous plant species. Although the agronomic properties of the scalpings are not ideal, preliminary planting trials have shown that the scalpings have signifi cant potent..