Applicability of WTP sludge for sealing barriers in landfills

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19180/2177-4560.v19n22025p161-171

Keywords:

Reuse of Waste, Solid Waste, Geotechnical Characterization, Permeability

Abstract

Water treatment plant (WTP) sludge is a waste product generated during the water treatment process and is made up of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, which, when disposed of inappropriately, harms water and soil quality. Despite its harmfulness, WTP sludge can be reused, which reduces the negative environmental impacts inherent in its final disposal. Mixtures of soil and WTP sludge can be used in various stages of landfill construction and operation, such as sealing barriers. These barriers consist of lining and waterproofing systems and prevent the migration of leachate generated by the decomposition of solid waste disposed of in landfills. The aim of this research was to analyze the application of soil-sludge mixtures (10% and 20%, by weight) as an alternative in the composition of sealing barriers in a landfill through geotechnical tests of the soil and soil-sludge mixtures in order to analyze their properties and feasibility. The experimental results showed an improvement in the properties of the soil with the sludge mixture when compared to the unmixed soil sample, since there was an improvement in the plastic behavior of the material.

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Author Biographies

  • Lívia Cristina Lopes Sousa, Universidade Federal do Ceará
    Graduação em Engenharia Civil pela Universidade Federal do Ceará.
  • Nicolas Stênio Freire Dias, Universidade Federal do Ceará
    Graduando em Engenharia Civil pela Universidade Federal do Ceará.
  • Thiago de Sá Sena, Universidade Federal do Ceará
    Mestrado em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental pela Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Técnico Administrativo da Universidade Federal do Ceará.
  • Daniela Machado Lima da Silva, Universidade Federal do Ceará
    Doutorado em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental pela Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. 

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Published

13-12-2025

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2025): Boletim do Observatório Ambiental - IFF

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Original articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Lívia Cristina Lopes Sousa, Nicolas Stênio Freire Dias, Thiago de Sá Sena, Daniela Machado Lima da Silva

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How to Cite

Applicability of WTP sludge for sealing barriers in landfills. Boletim do Observatório Ambiental Alberto Ribeiro Lamego, [S. l.], v. 19, n. 2, p. 161–171, 2025. DOI: 10.19180/2177-4560.v19n22025p161-171. Disponível em: https://editoraessentia.iff.edu.br/index.php/boletim/article/view/23515.. Acesso em: 14 dec. 2025.