Geosphere as a Waste Repository

As discussed previously, mineral processing produces large quantities of waste solids. Other sources of waste solids include ash from coal combustion, municipal garbage, and solid wastes from various industrial processes. Ultimately, these wastes are placed on or in the geosphere. Such measures have an obvious potential for pollution. 

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, much more effective per molecule at absorbing infrared radiation than is CO2, so it is undesirable to release CH4 to the atmosphere. However, modern sanitary landfills may be equipped wifh pipes and collecfion sysfems so that the methane can be collected and used as a fuel. 

FIGURE 9.10 A sanitary landfill. The refuse is placed in compartments that may be separated with poorly permeable fill dirt, typically after each day s disposal, then covered with dirt. In larger, more advanced landfills, the methane produced by anoxic fermentation of biodegradable biomass is collected and used as fuel. 

Do some search on the Internet regarding potential shortages of rare earths. What are the current major sources of these elements Are some alternate sources being developed What would be the consequences of drastic shortages of these elements. 

What is channelization as it applies to the geosphere and hydrosphere (the term has another meaning as applied to communication technology) Can there be adverse effects of channelization on the geosphere  

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