Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Field Evaluation of Evapo-Transpiration (ET) Caps
EPA Grant Number: R830845Title: Field Evaluation of Evapo-Transpiration (ET) Caps
Investigators: Abichou, Tarek , Chan-Hilton, Amy , Tawfiq, Kamal , Abdelrazig, Yassir
Institution: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2005 (Extended to June 30, 2006)
Project Amount: $395,548
RFA: Superfund Minority Institutions Program: Hazardous Substance Research (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Land and Waste Management , Safer Chemicals , Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to assess the field performance of evapo-transpiration (ET) caps through a field study. This project was developed to continue the effort led by the research team in designing ET caps in the State of Florida and beyond. The first two steps of this process have been started by two mini projects funded by the Florida Center for Hazardous Waste Management. Data from this study will be incorporated into Alternative Cover Assessment Program data to assist engineers and site owners in designing alternative covers, such as ET caps, and to provide researchers with data to calibrate existing percolation models. The objective of this research project is achieved by constructing, instrumenting, and monitoring three types of lysimeters to evaluate the performance of ET caps. One lysimeter was constructed in accordance with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D requirements and is refereed to as a prescribed cover. One lysimeter has cottonwood trees with grass for vegetation. A third lysimeter has eucalyptus trees and grass.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
A field study was conducted to assess the ability of landfill covers to control percolation into the waste. Performance of one conventional cover was compared to that of two evapotranspiration (ET) tree covers, using large (7 x 14 m) lined lysimeters at the Leon County Solid Waste management facility in Tallahassee, Florida. Additional unlined test sections were also constructed and monitored in order to compare soil water storage, soil temperature, and tree growth inside lysimeters and in unlined test sections. The unlined test sections were in direct contact with landfill gas.
Surface runoff on the ET covers was a small proportion of the water balance (1% of precipitation) as compared to 13% in the conventional cover. Percolation in the ET covers averaged 17% and 24% of precipitation as compared to 33% in the conventional cover. On average, soil water storage was higher in the lined lysimeters (429 mm) compared to unlined test sections (408 mm). The average soil temperature in the lysimeters was lower than in the unlined test sections. The average tree height inside the lysimeters was not significantly lower (8.04 m for eucalyptus and 7.11 m for cottonwood) than outside (8.82 m for eucalyptus and 8.01 m for cottonwood). ET tree covers vegetated with cottonwood or eucalyptus are feasible for North Florida climate as an alternative to GCL covers.
Conclusions:
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Relevant Websites:
http://www.eng.fsu.edu/~abichou/projects/FEETC/Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.