Author Question: What is the best use for reclaimed landfills and why? What will be an ideal ... (Read 43 times)

Bernana · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

What is the best use for reclaimed landfills and why? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Suppose someone suggested launching radioactive waste into space. What would be the potential
drawbacks of this approach apart from cost considerations? What will be an ideal response?

blfontai · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Landfills are best left as open areas, such as golf courses or parks. This is because of the potential for
ongoing subsidence as the fill consolidates over time. Subsidence would be damaging to structures. A
second consideration is the potential for methane gas leakage. Keeping the area open provides a way
for methane gas to escape without building up to dangerous levels.

Answer to Question 2

The greatest risk from this would be the possibility of an accident in which radioactive substances
might be dispersed into the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Alpha and Beta decay, for example, are
much more problematic where inhaled particles are concerned. Dust from an explosion at high level
could literally blanket the globe.