Geoenvironmental Sustainability

Industrialization, urbanization, agriculture, and resource exploitation are activities associated with a developing society. Geoenvironmental Sustainability focuses on such a society's geoenvironment and the natural capital that defines it. The book explains these elements in systematic detail, particularly with respect to their relationship to fiv

This volume is a compilation on issues related to sustainable practices in geo-environmental engineering, particularly as applying to developing nations such as India. While, the developed world has already developed some solutions such as landfills, developments in landfills, barriers and liners in the North America and waste-to-energy and waste incineration in Europe, developing countries like India are trying to figure out ways which suit the present condition without compromising the future needs and comforts. This volume presents case studies on the various problems and solutions adopted for different sites. Although a common approach for all the problems is not feasible or recommend, this collection aims to provide a compendium on the current efforts underway and to help achieve common ground for the practitioners and researchers involved. The works included here give insight to the possible development of resilient and sustainable structures (like offshore wind turbines) and energy geotechnics. The book covers topics such as liners and barrier systems, use of recycled and waste materials, waste management and hazard assessment, sustainable infrastructure, and sustainability and the environment. The contents of this book will be useful to researchers and professionals working in geo-environmental engineering. The book will also be useful to policy makers interested in understanding geotechnical concerns related to sustainable development.

In the seven years since the publication of the first edition of Sustainable Practices in Geoenvironmental Engineering, the combination of population growth and increased exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources has added increased stresses on the quality and health of the geoenvironment. This is especially true when viewed in the context of the growing demand for food and shelter, energy and mineral resources, and their resultant effects on the natural capital of the geoenvironment. Completely revised and updated, this second edition of a bestseller introduces and discusses the concept of "stressors" and their impacts on the geoenvironment. See What’s New in the Second Edition: Clear definition of the geoenvironment New tools and remediation technologies, new management methods for geohazards, and enhanced coverage of social and economic sustainability Innovative approaches and techniques for reaching geoenvironmental sustainability More detail on treatment technologies, both in situ and ex situ Discussion on the mitigation of geodisasters Additional sections to discuss sustainability assessment protocols Updated information on models for prediction of contaminant behavior The authors explore the technologies that take into account targets, exposure routes (if applicable), future land use, acceptable risks, legislation, and resultant emissions/discharges in establishing the criteria and tools for evaluating technologies and protocols for environmental management of the impacted land. They then discuss how to choose the correct ones to use in different situations to protect the quality and health of natural resource and capital of the geoenvironment and ensure that these geoenvironmental natural resources and capital remain available for future generations and to develop innovative and sustainable techniques to make land more stable and safer.

Fundamentals of Geoenvironmental Engineering: Understanding Soil, Water, and Pollutant Interaction and Transport examines soil-water-pollutant interaction, including physico-chemical processes that occur when soil is exposed to various contaminants. Soil characteristics relevant to remedial techniques are explored, providing foundations for the correct process selection. Built upon the authors' extensive experience in research and practice, the book updates and expands the content to include current processes and pollutants. The book discusses propagation of soil pollution and soil characteristics relevant to remedial techniques. Practicing geotechnical and environmental engineers can apply the theory and case studies in the book directly to current projects. The book first discusses the stages of economic development and their connections to the sustainability of the environment. Subsequent chapters cover waste and its management, soil systems, soil-water and soil-pollutant interactions, subsurface transport of pollutants, role of groundwater, nano-, micro- and biologic pollutants, soil characteristics that impact pollution diffusion, and potential remediation processes like mechanical, electric, magnetic, hydraulic and dielectric permittivity of soils. Presents a clear understanding of the propagation of pollutants in soils Identifies the physico-chemical processes in soils Covers emerging pollutants (nano-, micro- and biologic contaminants) Features in-depth coverage of hydraulic, electrical, magnetic and dielectric permittivity characteristics of soils and their impact on remedial technologies

The new social and economic era calls for integration of ecology and economy in a system of cause and effect. The central element in this shift is sustainable development. Fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development is the requirement for environmentally responsible waste management and restoration of the environment. Solutions to the complex problems confronted by waste management and environmental restoration industry are currently handled by the geoenvironmental engineering profession that needs a good background in soil biology, chemistry, mechanics, mineralogy, and physics. In recognition of this need, this book summarizes relevant aspects of various soil physics, mineralogy, and chemistry as well as the chemistry of pollutants. This treatment will provide sufficient background to students and practicing engineers to enable them to think about how to approach waste management and environmental restoration problems.

Geoenvironmental Engineering covers the application of basic geological and hydrological science, including soil and rock mechanics and groundwater hydrology, to any number of different environmental problems. * Includes end-of-chapter summaries, design examples and worked-out numerical problems, and problem questions. * Offers thorough coverage of the role of geotechnical engineering in a wide variety of environmental issues. * Addresses such issues as remediation of in-situ hazardous waste, the monitoring and control of groundwater pollution, and the creation and management of landfills and other above-ground and in-situ waste containment systems.

This edited volume contains the best papers in the geo-engineering field accepted for presentation at the 1st Springer Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Tunisia 2018. In addition, it includes 3 keynotes by international experts on the following topics: 1. A new three-dimensional rock mass strength criterion 2. New tools and techniques of remote sensing for geologic hazard assessment 3. Land subsidence induced by the engineering-environmental effects in Shanghai China The book is useful for readers who would like to get a broad coverage in geo-engineering. It contains 11 chapters covering the following main areas: (a) Applications in geo-environmental engineering including soil remediation, (b) Characterization of geo-materials using geological, geotechnical and geophysical techniques, (c) Soil improvement applications, (d) Soil behaviour under dynamic loading, (e) Recent studies on expansive soils, (f) Analytical and numerical modelling of various geo-structures, (g) Slope stability, (h) Landslides, (i) Subsidence studies and (j) Recent studies on various other types of geo-hazards.

Why do some contaminants remain in soils indefinitely? How much of a threat do they pose to human health or the environment? The need for effective and economic site decontamination arises daily. Geoenvironmental Engineering: Contaminated Soils, Pollutant Fate, and Mitigation discusses why soils remain contaminated, focusing on the development of the factors, properties, characteristics, and parameters of soils and individual contaminants. Subjects covered include the basic properties of soils affecting accumulation of contaminants, long-term retention of contaminants and their fate, including the development of intermediate products. The author emphasizes the factors, interactions, and mechanisms important in the bonding and partitioning process. He provides the groundwork for determining the fate of pollutants in soils and sediments and their mitigation. Geoenvironmental Engineering: Contaminated Soils, Pollutant Fate, and Mitigation focuses on why soils and sediments remain contaminated, not how they became contaminated in the first place. You will understand why specific contaminants remain in soils and sediments, how much of a threat they pose to human health and the environment, and what steps to take for mitigation. With this information you can determine the extent of the contamination of soils and sediments, how long they will remain a threat, and what methods to use for their remediation.