Landfill: A landfill is an enormous hole, either excavated for the purpose of waste disposal or left over from a surface mining operation. The hole is lined with clay or a synthetic lining to prevent leakage of waste into the surrounding water supply. Waste is laid on the liner at the bottom of the landfill and a layer of topsoil is then compacted into the waste. The layering is repeated again and again until the landfill reaches its full capacity.

 

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Landfill: A landfill is an enormous hole, either excavated for the purpose of waste disposal or left over from a surface mining operation. The hole is lined with clay or a synthetic lining to prevent . . . View Full Definition

Source Of Contamination: The place where a hazardous substance comes from, such as a landfill, waste pond, incinerator, storage tank, or drum. A source of contamination is the first part of an exposure pathway.

Leaching: The loss of soluble material from decaying organisms

Source Reduction: The design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials (such as packaging) that reduce the amount or toxicity of garbage. Source reduction can reduce waste disposal and handling costs becaus . . . View Full Definition