An engineered burial of refuse. The refuse is dumped into trenches and compacted by
bulldozer, where, it is hoped,
aerobicmetabolism by microorganisms decomposes the organic matter to
stable compounds
(
H2O,
CO2, etc.). Moisture is essential for the biological degradation and groundwater assists
the process except when it fills air voids and prevents the transport of oxygen to
the refuse. Land fills of unsatisfactory design can be major sources of air, water
and soil pollution.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167
(Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990))
on page 2212