Date:     03/06/98
To:       B. Gerry
From:   Karla McDonald
Project:      The suitability of a clay rich material to be used as a landfill site liner.

As requested, the identification of a clay soil has been completed to assess the suitability of its use as a landfill site liner.   The Ministry of the Environment provided the sample.  The technique used to test the materials was accomplished using the standard methods to determine the liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity of soils.

A complete description of the material, as well as its unified soil classification, is appended on the materials identification sheet to follow.  The predominate clay type was Illite.   A detailed procedure for performing the liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity of soils presented in the American Society for Testing Methods (ASTM) under the D44318 designation.  The liquid limit of the soil was 38% and the plastic limit of the soil was 20.8%.  Therefore, the index of plasticity of the clay rich soil was 17.2%.
Identification and analysis of the plasticity index of the soils was completed to determine the suitability of the material as a landfill site liner.  The predominant clay type was determined to be Illite.  Illite is a very stable clay with little tendency for volume change when exposed to water.  The results of the test depict that the activity level of the soil was .573, which demonstrates a very low activity level.   Such a low level is classified as an inactive clay.  Illite clays do not expand when exposed to water.  Given the results of all the testing, it can be determined that the clay rich material is suitable to be used as a landfill site liner.  It is suitable because the percentage of clay exceeds 30%, which is a very good amount of clay for a liner.   The results of all the tested are appended on the work sheets to follow for a more detailed description.
If further testing or information is needed please feel free to contact me at any time.

Yours truly,

Karla McDonald