Microanalytical Characterizations of Eroded and Slaked Mudstone Proposed as Landfill Liner Material

Abstract

An understanding of microanalytical characterizations would be useful to explain the hydraulic behavior of water across the slaked mudstone liner. It is further expected that the mudstone material could be designed for replacing clay material as a natural landfill liner. The result of the semidynamic leach test indicated that the released sodium species are very rapid and large. The microanalysis of the eroded mudstone indicated many white short rod-like conglomerates. The x-ray diffraction examination clearly illustrated that the white crystalline compound is sodium sulfate. Other micrographs indicated that many petal-like grains are present in the permeated mudstone. In addition, the microchemical result revealed that the flat-like grain could be a sand phase and the petal-like structure is possibly a clay phase (illite). Therefore, it is inferred that the possible characterizations of the eroded and slaked mudstone are stated as follows. The swelling and slaking behaviors of the mudstone possibly contributed to the dissolution of sodium sulfate. The surface of the permeated mudstone might present a lot of clay phases (illite) to reduce water permeation. Thus, the slaked mudstone as a natural landfill liner is feasible.