Ultimate Disposal ULT

Ultimate disposal is described by many as the final process in the treatment and management of wastes. The term ultimate disposal methods was coined by the US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and originally assigned to the four processes listed below. 

More recently, one of the co-authors of this book (L. Theodore) has added atmospheric dispersion to this list. The top four practices are addressed in the next problem (ULT.2). Dispersion is addressed in Problem ULT.3. 

Disposal is defined in Section 1004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle A as 

The ultimate disposition of residuals from treatment processes depends on similar considerations as those connected with the selection of a particular treatment method. Specifically, disposal is based on 

The four ultimate disposal methods defined by the EPA are landfarming, deep-well injection, landfilling, and ocean dumping. Landfarming, used for organic wastes, relies on nutrients in the soil to convert wastes into nonhazardous materials that may enrich the soil. The latter three methods concentrate on containing, not converting, wastes and may be used on various waste types. Briefly describe each of these four disposal methods. 

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Although the term ultimate disposal is a misnomer, Theodore has included another disposal option available to industry (see Problem ULT.l). This fifth disposal option is defined as atmospheric dispersion. Briefly describe this other option. 

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