Alternative Cover System Evaluation

Location

Peru

Client

Confidential

Project Description

GSA evaluated different cover systems and treatments for side slopes that could reduce the amount of net percolation into closed waste facilities. The cover design objective was to reduce potential acid rock drainage while also providing physical stability and establishing vegetation representative of the surrounding area. Synthetic and natural cover systems were compared using Multiple Accounts Analysis to consider the technical, economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of the difference cover systems. Additionally, GSA developed a calibrated 2-dimensional unsaturated flow model for predicting long-term evapotranspiration and net percolation from the different evapotranspiration cover designs. Results from the unsaturated flow model were incorporated into the Multiple Accounts Analysis.

Project Highlights