Physicochemistry of Soils for Geoenvironmental Engineering

The goals of geoenvironmental engineering include: (1) safe containment of wastes, (2) clean-up of contaminated ground and ground-water, (3) prevention of contamination and pollution, and (4) enhancement of the natural and man-made environment. Attainment of these goals inevitably involves activities on, in, or with the earth. Therefore, soils and their properties and behavior over a range of conditions are of major importance in geoenvironmental engineering. The purpose of this chapter is to identify and summarize aspects of soils that are important in dealing with geoenvironmental problems, such as those considered in subsequent chapters of this handbook. They include contaminant hydrogeology and contaminant migration (Chapter 24), clay liners (Chapter 25), geosynthetics in waste containment systems (Chapter 26), landfill covers (Chapter27), in situ containment and treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater (Chapter 29), and contaminated soil management (Chapter 30). Much of the information in this chapter is covered in more detail in Mitchell (1993).