Background, aim and scope One of the problems to affect Portland cement matrices is low resistance to aggressive agents, due principally to the presence of a high content of portlandite in the hydrated cements. Pozzolanic materials have played an important role in the improving the durability of cement-based materials for decades. This work studies the behaviour of cement mortar matrices blended with 10% calcined paper sludge (source for metakaolinite) and exposed to different environmental conditions (saline and non-saline environments) after 6 and 12 months of exposure. Materials and methods Two cements were studied: an ordinary Portland cement (CEM 1, 42.5R), acting as reference cement, and a blended cement formulated by mixing 90% (by mass) of CEM 1, 42.5R with 10% (by mass) of paper sludge calcined at 700°C for 2 h. The specimens were exposed 1 year to saline and non-saline environments. All the mineralogy samples were studied through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyser. The in-depth study on ionic mobility was performed on samples subjected to natural exposure (coast and tableland) for 6 and 12 months. Results Portland cement was composed of quartz, calcite, calcium hydroxide and tobermorite gels. The pozzolanic cement (10% calcined paper sludge) is of the same composition but a high calcite concentration and barium carbonate. SEM analysis from coastline show deposits of variable composition. The deposits are identified on the surface of different mineral components. The minerals from tableland are much fractured, i.e. calcite and feldspars. Inside the fractures, the deposits and the ions are located and trapped superficially. Discussion SEM analysis of control cement Portland and 10% calcined paper sludge shows deposits on quartz and calcite with a very high concentration of Pb, Zn, Cl and barium sulphate. A very porous aspect is due to the presence of the different aggregate types. This porous configuration permits retention of the ion environment. The pozzolanic cement in environments subject to the saline mist favours the retention and transport of ions observed. Something similar also happens with the increase in exposure to outdoor weather. Non-saline samples show temperature changes (ice or thaw cycles). Barium retention is kept on the surface in fracture lines by the gelification processes. In general, it may be inferred that an increase in exposure time increases the diffusion of ions towards test piece interiors. The chemical composition profiles show that the ions present different penetration speeds. Conclusions The results indicate the better vulnerability of pozzolanic cements from calcined paper sludge in saline and non-saline environments. The cements with a 10% addition of calcined paper sludge favour retention and transport of ion has been observed. Recommendations and perspectives Today, projects are centred on a new recycling line for industrial waste of this kind, with special attention on its incorporation in cement manufacture as a pozzolanic material, setting the most appropriate activation conditions of the mineralogical compound in this waste (kaolinite and metakaolinite) and taking them as a starting point for this project. The use of pozzolanic cement with 10% addition of calcined paper sludge is a system which favours ionic retention.

Background, aim, and scope At tropical latitudes, and especially on the semi-arid coasts of the Brazilian Northeast, the rainfall regime governs the water quality of estuaries due to the pronounced difference between the rainy and dry seasons. These changes may be responsible for seasonal changes in bioavailability of mercury (Hg) and other pollutants to the estuarine and coastal biota. Mercury bioaccumulates along estuarine-marine food chains usually result in higher concentrations in tissues of top predators and posing a risk to both marine mammals and humans alike. The Goiana River Estuary (7.5° S) is a typical estuary of the semi-arid tropical regions and supports traditional communities with fisheries (mollusks, fish, and crustacean). It is also responsible for an important part of the biological production of the adjacent coastal waters. Materials and methods Trichiurus lepturus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) is a pscivorous marine straggler. Fish from this species (n = 104) were captured in a trapping barrier used by the local traditional population and using an otter trawl net along the main channel of the low estuary during two dry seasons (D1 = November, December 2005, January 2006; D2 = November, December 2006, January 2007) and the end of a rainy season (R = August, September, October 2006). Fish muscle samples were preserved cold and then freeze-dried prior to analysis of its total mercury (Hg-T) contents. Total mercury was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Results The studied individuals (n = 104) were sub-adult (30-70 cm, 71 ind.) and adult fish (>70 cm, 33 ind.). Weight (W) (204.1 ± 97.9 g, total biomass = 21,229.7 g) and total length (TL) (63.1 ± 10.1 cm, range 29.5-89.0 cm) presented a significant (p < 0.05) correlation. Two-way ANOVA (n = 81) showed that TL and W had significant differences (p < 0.05) among seasons, being higher in D1 than in D2 and R, respectively. Moreover, season vs. month interaction were detected for the variables length and weight. For the variable weight was detected significant difference for the factor month (p < 0.05). It suggests that the fish enter the estuary at the end of the rainy season and increase in length and weight during the time they spend in the estuary. Fish from this estuary are shown to be fit for human consumption (125.3 ± 61.9 μgHg-T kg⁻¹ w.wt.; n = 104). Fish mercury contents increased with size and weight. Correlations between TL and Hg-T (r = 0.37286) and between W and Hg-T (r = 0.38212) were significant (p < 0.05). Dryer months showed higher mercury concentrations in fish (D1 773.4 ± 207.5 μgHg-T kg⁻¹ d.wt., n = 27; D2 370.1 ± 78.8 μgHg-T kg⁻¹ d.wt., n = 27; R 331.2 ± 138.5 μgHg-T kg⁻¹ d.wt., n = 27). The variable mercury concentration showed differences in relation to the factor season (p < 0.05), where fish captured during the first dry season showed the highest concentration of mercury. The correlation between Hg-T and rainfall (Rf) showed a negative correlation (r = -0.56; p < 0.05). Discussion The main likely source of mercury to this estuary is diffuse continental run off, including urban and industrial effluents. Since concentration of mercury in fish tissue is negatively correlated to rainfall, but positively correlated with fish length and weight, it suggests that fish growth in this estuary results in mercury uptake and concentration on the fish tissue. In the dry season of 2005-2006, when rainfall remained below the historic average, fish bioaccumulated significantly more mercury than in the dry season 2006-2007, when rainfall was within the predictable historic average. It is suggested that less rainfall, and consequently less particulate matter and less primary production in the estuary, make mercury more available to the higher levels of the estuarine food chain. In the case of higher rainfall, when river flow increases and water quality in the estuary is reduced, mercury probably is quickly exported associated to the particulate matter to the adjacent coastal waters where it then disperses. This species is a potential routine bioindicator for mercury contamination of the biota, but so far was used only with a limited number of individuals and contexts. Conclusions Fish from the Goiana River estuary can still be safely consumed by the local population. However, any further contamination of this resource might lead to total mercury levels above the recommended limits for pregnant women and small children. The proposed heavy dependency of total mercury levels in fish on water quality indicates that land use and water quality standards must be more closely watched in order to guarantee that best possible practices are in place to prevent bioaccumulation of mercury and its transfer along the food chain. Human interventions and climatic events which affect river water flow are also playing a role in the mercury cycle at tropical semi-arid estuaries. Recommendations and perspectives T. lepturus is largely consumed by coastal populations of tropical and sub-tropical countries all over the world. It is also consumed by a number of marine mammals over which we have a strong conservation interest. This species is also a link among different ecosystems along the estuarine ecocline. Therefore, knowledge of its degree of contamination might contribute to public health issues as well as marine conservation actions. Studies on mercury and other contaminants using this species as bioindicator (cosmopolitan, readily available) could help elucidating mechanisms through which pollutants are being transferred not only through the food chain, but also from estuarine-coastal-open waters. In addition, using the same species in marine pollution studies, especially as part of a mosaic of species, allows for wide range comparisons of marine food chain contamination.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [Axe_IRSTEA]TED-SOWASTE | National audience | The objective of the Equivalence Guide is to define rules of good practice with respect to equivalent solutions for landfill mineral barriers. The guide refers primarily to non-hazardous waste landfills. The guide, which was first drafted in 2002, was updated in 2008, by a working group composed of the main organisations working on landfill mineral barriers in France. The update also benefited from feedback from professional partners (consultants, landfill operators, geosynthetic suppliers...). This paper summarizes the main changes with respect to the previous version. | Le « Guide Équivalence » a pour objectif de définir des règles de bonne pratique en matière de recherche de solutions « équivalentes » en étanchéité passive d'installation de stockage de déchets. Les principaux sites concernés par ce guide sont les installations de stockage de déchets non dangereux (ISDND). Ce guide, dont la première version date de 2002, a été réactualisé par un groupe de travail constitué des principaux organismes intervenant sur la thématique des barrières minérales d'ISD en France. Cette réactualisation a également bénéficié d'un retour d'expérience recueilli auprès de la profession (bureaux d'étude, exploitants, fournisseurs de géosynthétiques ). Cet article fait une synthèse des principales modifications par rapport à la version antérieure.

National audience | Solid Waste landfilling is a common application of Geosynthetics in geo-environmental engineering. Non-hazardous waste Landfills are responsible for Methane emissions, a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) with high Global Warming Potential naturally present in the biogas. An evaluation of Greenhouse Gas emissions from landfills depending on the way they are operated and on the cap cover characteristics (semi-permeable, impermeable) is presented. Energy recovery from biogas is also discussed. The sensitivity of the environmental performance of landfills on the cover characteristics as well as on the biogas collection and recovery system is highlighted. | Le stockage de déchets est une des applications communes des géosynthétiques en génie de l'environnement. Les installations de stockage de déchets non dangereux (ISDND) occasionnent des émissions de biogaz, ce dernier étant composé de méthane, un puissant gaz à effet de serre (GES). Un bilan des émissions de GES d'une installation de stockage de déchets non dangereux est proposé selon différents scénarios de gestion et les types de couvertures employées (semi-perméable, imperméable). La valorisation énergétique du biogaz est également abordée. L'étude fait apparaître la sensibilité des performances environnementales des ISDND au type de couverture et à la performance du système de traitement du biogaz.

National audience | Objectives of the Saint-Brès landfill capping are waterproofing, water drainage and earth retaining. Slopes on cover reach 66% with length superior to 10 m. Geosynthetic solution is composed from bottom to top of a protective geotextile, a drainage geocomposite industrially associated to a textured 8/10 mm polyethylene film to increase the stability of the system and a earth retaining geogrid. Geocomposite has been designed with Lymphéa® software to drain a rain of 266 mm/day. A polyethylene film was welded on site to increase the waterproofing of the capping. | La réalisation de la couverture du centre de stockage de déchets ménages et assimilés (CSDMA) de Saint-Brès a pour objectifs l'imperméabilisation, le drainage des eaux de pluies et la retenue de la terre végétale. La couverture possède des talus pentés à 66 % avec des rampants supérieurs à 10 m. Le complexe géosynthétique est composé de bas en haut par un géotextile antipoinçonnant, un géocomposite de drainage associé en usine à un film polyéthylène 8/10 mm texturée en sous-face pour augmenter la stabilité du dispositif et une géogrille de retenue des terres. Le géocomposite a été dimensionné hydrauliquement avec le logiciel Lymphéa® pour drainer une pluie de 266 mm/jour. Le film du géocomposite a été soudé sur site pour garantir une imperméabilisation optimale de la couverture.

National audience | To face the estival tourist multitude in Corsica, it is necessary to store drinking water in great quantity during more than 6 months and this on the level of communes whose financial capacities are reduced. Original and economic techniques presented here were developed by the OEHC. The communication presents the technological developments and the reduction of the costs, thanks to the use of géomembranes and floating covers able to store and protect water during more than 6 months without giving taste to water. The results on the long-term evolution of the floating PVC covers are given. This type of solution returns ten times less expansive than a of the same tank capacity with bottom in géomembrane and concrete cover. | Pour faire face à l'affluence touristique estivale en Corse, il est nécessaire de stocker l'eau potable en grande quantité pendant plus de six mois et ceci au niveau de communes dont les capacités financières sont réduites. Des techniques originales et économiques présentées ici ont été développées par l'Office d'équipement hydraulique de la Corse. L'article présente l'évolution de la technique et la réduction des coûts, grâce à l'emploi de géomembranes et de couvertures flottantes capables de stocker et protéger l'eau pendant plus de six mois sans donner de goût à l'eau. Les résultats sur l'évolution à long terme des couvertures flottantes en PVC sont donnés. Ce type de solution revient dix fois moins chère qu'un réservoir de même capacité avec fond en géomembrane et couverture en béton.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [Axe_IRSTEA]TED-SOWASTE | National audience | Clay geosynthetic barriers (GBR-Cs) used in landfill covers must ensure lining on the long term. The primary mode of ageing of bentonite GBR-Cs in covers is the coupling of cation exchange and hydration-desiccation cycles. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the optimal conditions to prevent a loss of performance of GBR-Cs in covers with time, based on a literature review. Various parameters will be discussed. The literature review will put in light the lack of consistent information from study to study. This enforces the need for a list of information to collect in future excavations. Such a list is proposed in the third section of this paper followed by the presentation of results from recent excavations performed by the first author. | Les géosynthétiques bentonitiques (GSB) utilisés en couverture d'installations de stockage de déchets (ISD) doivent apporter un niveau d'étanchéité suffisant sur le long terme. La dessiccation possible de la bentonite couplée à des phénomènes d'échanges cationiques a été identifiée comme le principal mode de vieillissement. L'objectif de cet article est, à partir d'une synthèse bibliographique, de déterminer les conditions optimales pour prévenir les baisses de performance des GSB. Différents paramètres seront discutés. Cette synthèse bibliographique met en évidence le manque de données cohérentes d'étude à étude. C'est pourquoi une liste d'informations à collecter au cours des prochaines excavations est également proposée à la fin de l'article avant la présentation de résultats d'excavations récentes de GSB.

National audience | The use of geomembranes is largely spread for waterproofing of waste water treatment marshes and road pollution containment reservoirs. The geomembranes indeed make it possible to solve in an economic way the problems of realization of these ponds. The paper presents some recent and characteristic examples. However, to ensure the success of these operations, essential rules must be respected, concerning the choice of the site until, during the construction and its control. The paper reviews the essential rules, which concern all the peoples involved in the project, Owners Building, Project superintendents and contractors. | L'usage des géomembranes s'est largement répandu pour l'étanchéité des bassins de lagunage et des bassins routiers. L'emploi des géomembranes permet en effet de résoudre de façon économique les problèmes de réalisation de ces bassins. L'article présente un certain nombre d'exemples récents et caractéristiques. Cependant, pour assurer le succès de ces opérations, un certain nombre de règles essentielles doivent être respectées, depuis le choix du site jusqu'à la réalisation et à son contrôle. L'article passe en revue les règles essentielles, qui concernent tous les intervenants, maîtres d'ouvrages, maîtres d'½uvre et entrepreneurs.