No replies to this topic

[FamilyTreeClimber]

This is an environmental tragedy with a possible happy ending.  In the 1970s, Brasil opened a landfill by Guanabara Bay.  They put no thought into the project.  They didn't even protect the bottom from possible leaks.

People dumped hazardous waste as well as household garbage at this landfill.  There was no barrier at the bottom, so the hazardous materials leaked through the ground and into the bay.  The bay is now contaminated and unfit for swimming.

In 1996, the government started to realize it was an environmental disaster.  They limited dumping to household waste and tried to prevent runoff.

Now, the landfill is slated to be closed. New garbage will go to a new landfill.  The landfill is being converted to produce energy from the carbon dioxide and methane that is produced during decomposition.

I'm not sure how successful that will be. I know in California there are a couple of pilot projects working to get energy from landfills.  I don't know if the bay will ever recover.  The good thing is that the government is thinking more of the future and trying to clean up some of these messes.

Here is the story:
http://www.usatoday....sing/55352142/1