Abstract: A method of chemically and physically treating unconsolidated soils, overburden, fill and certain waste materials (the “ground”), or partly consolidated materials that can be excavated and broken up by normal earth moving and soil mixing equipment. This treatment results in the reduction of permeability in the ground, and as a result permits the prevention or control of contaminant migration from a site containing ground wastes of various types, thereby isolating these wastes.

Abstract: A method of chemically and physically treating unconsolidated soils, over burden, fill and certain waste materials (the “ground”), or partly consolidated materials that can be excavated and broken up by normal earth moving and soil mixing equipment. This treatment results in the reduction of permeability in the ground, and as a result permits the prevention or control of contaminant migration from a site containing ground wastes of various types, thereby isolating these wastes.

Abstract: A composition and method for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: a) preparing a dry mixture, comprising: the soil and/or sand, CaCl2 or CaO, and alumina, wherein 100 parts of the dry mixture comprises 1-99 parts soil and/or sand, 0-25 parts CaCl2, and 0-25 parts alumina; and b) adding aqueous Na2SiO3, wherein 100 parts v/v of the aqueous Na2SiO3 comprises 1-35 parts Na2SiO3, and 99 to 65 parts water; and repeating steps a and b until refusal occurs. Alternatively, a composition for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: 100 parts of a dry mixture, comprising: 99-1 parts of the soil and/or sand; 0-25 parts alumina; 0-35 parts silicate; and 0-25 parts CaCl2. The silicate may be Na2Si2O3, Li2Si2O3, and K2Si2O3.

Abstract: A method of chemically and physically treating unconsolidated soils, over burden, fill and certain waste materials (the “ground”), or partly consolidated materials that can be excavated and broken up by normal earth moving and soil mixing equipment. This treatment results in the reduction of permeability in the ground, and as a result permits the prevention or control of contaminant migration from a site containing ground wastes of various types, thereby isolating these wastes.

Abstract: A method of chemically and physically treating unconsolidated soils, over burden, fill and certain waste materials (the “ground”), or partly consolidated materials that can be excavated and broken up by normal earth moving and soil mixing equipment. This treatment results in the reduction of permeability in the ground, and as a result permits the prevention or control of contaminant migration from a site containing ground wastes of various types, thereby isolating these wastes.

Abstract: Methods of forming layers of material upon or below the earth's surface and above the water table to prevent or effectively inhibit the flow of groundwaters through such laters of initially unconsolidated materials. Chemical components are added to materials such as incinerator ash or other waste materials deposited in a landfill operation to create alkaline conditions which, when contacted by water, induce precipitation of calcite in sufficient quantities to produce a cementing action which retards leachate formation. In another aspect, a site is prepared for use as a landfill with an essentially hydraulically sealed sub-base by choosing a site with alkaline soils or carbonate bedrock and adding appropriate chemical components to cause calcite to precipitate when contacted by water, which may be applied directly or by naturally occurring precipitation.

Abstract: A method of artificially sealing cracks, fissures or other voids in earth strata under alkaline conditions, or in alkaline structural materials. Sealing is effected by induced precipitation of calcium carbonate, usually in the form of calcite, either in alkaline rocks, in other rocks where alkaline groundwaters are present, or in structures of alkaline materials such as cement or marble. A number of examples are discussed for effecting the desired precipitation including application of aqueous solutions which affect either calcium or carbonate ion concentration, increasing pH by degassing of carbonated water and application of slurries of less stable forms of calcium carbonate (aragonite and vaterite) to result in precipitation of the more stable form (calcite).