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Geoenvironmental Engineered Structures for Water Protection: Challenges and Perspectives for Sustainable Liners

Author

Listed:
  • Leonardo Marchiori

    (GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Antonio Albuquerque

    (GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Luis Andrade Pais

    (GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Maria Eugênia Gimenez Boscov

    (Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Department, University of São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense 400, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil)

  • Victor Cavaleiro

    (GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

Geoenvironmental engineered barriers, such as geotechnical and hydraulic layered structures called liners, are essential for protecting the environment from pollution. Liners are usually compacted clay liners (CCL), geomembranes (GM), geosynthetic clay liners (GCL), or a combination of these liners (composite liners), which require significant attention concerning materials, techniques, and procedures to perform adequately. This work reviews the function of geotechnical and hydraulic barriers as liners and highlights the lack of investigation and problematic aspects of them. In addition, the work provides an overview of the literature around earthworks which are liners’ specific configurations, such as landfills, dams, ponds, wastewater lagoons, and vertical barriers. Furthermore, the main investigations, issues, and perspectives are demonstrated, and are discussed alongside the trending research areas and sustainable new materials. This work highlights different directives in several countries for liner construction standards and testing program specifications, analyzing their economic aspects. The main studies on the subject have been compiled, and a bibliometric analysis was performed. Thus, this paper concludes by pointing out gaps in the research regarding alternative materials and structures within geoenvironmental investigations on liners, and signposts future scientific threads related to sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Marchiori & Antonio Albuquerque & Luis Andrade Pais & Maria Eugênia Gimenez Boscov & Victor Cavaleiro, 2025. "Geoenvironmental Engineered Structures for Water Protection: Challenges and Perspectives for Sustainable Liners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:1850-:d:1596970
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steffen Beck-Broichsitter & Horst H. Gerke & Rainer Horn, 2018. "Shrinkage Characteristics of Boulder Marl as Sustainable Mineral Liner Material for Landfill Capping Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Ali Chabuk & Nadhir Al-Ansari & Mohammad Ezz-Aldeen & Jan Laue & Roland Pusch & Hussain Musa Hussain & Sven Knutsson, 2018. "Two Scenarios for Landfills Design in Special Conditions Using the HELP Model: A Case Study in Babylon Governorate, Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Francisco M. Baena-Moreno & Isabel Malico & Isabel Paula Marques, 2021. "Promoting Sustainability: Wastewater Treatment Plants as a Source of Biomethane in Regions Far from a High-Pressure Grid. A Real Portuguese Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Lin, Long & Xu, Fuqing & Ge, Xumeng & Li, Yebo, 2018. "Improving the sustainability of organic waste management practices in the food-energy-water nexus: A comparative review of anaerobic digestion and composting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 151-167.
    5. Hao Li & Jinbang Zhang & Juan Hou, 2023. "Pore Scale Simulation of Rheology Properties on Residence Time of Polymer Hydrogel and Hydraulic Conductivity of Bentonite Polymer Composite Geosynthetic Clay Liners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-14, August.
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