|
Section 1: Investigation, hazard assessment and remediation of existing landfills |
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Newcastle, Drummond Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
2 Civil and Geotechnical Laboratory, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL, UK
The combustion of coal in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere produces a complex mixture of gaseous, liquid and solid components depending on the coal composition and the temperature of combustion. Large quantities of coke, attaining a peak production of some 30 x 106 t per annum in 1956, were produced, generally on large sites. Hundreds of small gas works existed throughout the British coalfields in the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. Liquids such as tar, amoniacal liquors and crude benzol were produced. Spent oxides, containing cyanides (‘blue billy’), produced during the final stages of gas production were frequently dumped near the gas works on available land. Local authorities have, in some cases, been given the task of identifying the location of these long-abandoned and heavily contaminated sites to bring them into productive use either as residential, industrial or recreational sites. This paper discusses the investigation and treatment or disposal of the hazardous waste products. It recommends that engineers and planners discuss redevelopment plans and remedial measures for sites at an early stage and maintain close and continuing liaison throughout the site investigation and construction phases of redevelopment programmes.
