Waste Disposal: Orientation |
Aerial view of the Frey Farm Landfill operated by the
Lancaster County Solid Waste
Management Authority. The authority disposes of 500,000 tons
of solid waste per year. |
Waste Disposal: Orientation |
Aerial view of the Frey Farm Landfill operated by the
Lancaster County Solid Waste
Management Authority. The authority disposes of 500,000 tons
of solid waste per year. |
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Appropriate disposal of waste materials is one of the most important problems of modern
society. Typically hazardous and contaminating, these materials must be stored where
they will be isolated from the environment, or where they will decompose before they
come into contact with the ground water system. To protect the facility and to prevent the spread of contaminants, geologists work during the siting phases of a major waste disposal project. The role of a geologist is to be sure that the site is located where it will be safe from geologic hazards and where it will not interfere with the extraction of important fuel, mineral, or water resources. As you read your assignments, think about the important roles that geology can or should play in siting a major disposal facility. This will be the topic of your Hazard City assignment and you should start thinking about it from the beginning of your work.
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| The photo at the top of this page is from the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority website. The Authority serves the residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. |