Geoenvironmental Engineered Structures for Water Protection: Challenges and Perspectives for Sustainable Liners

Leonardo Marchiori (), Antonio Albuquerque, Luis Andrade Pais, Maria Eugênia Gimenez Boscov and Victor Cavaleiro
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Leonardo Marchiori: GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal
Antonio Albuquerque: GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal
Luis Andrade Pais: GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal
Maria Eugênia Gimenez Boscov: Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Department, University of São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São-Carlense 400, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil
Victor Cavaleiro: GeoBioTec, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department, University Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro 6, 6200-358 Covilhã, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-32

Abstract: Geoenvironmental engineered barriers, such as geotechnical and hydraulic layered structures called liners, are essential for protecting the environment from pollution. Liners are usually compacted clay liners (CCL), geomembranes (GM), geosynthetic clay liners (GCL), or a combination of these liners (composite liners), which require significant attention concerning materials, techniques, and procedures to perform adequately. This work reviews the function of geotechnical and hydraulic barriers as liners and highlights the lack of investigation and problematic aspects of them. In addition, the work provides an overview of the literature around earthworks which are liners’ specific configurations, such as landfills, dams, ponds, wastewater lagoons, and vertical barriers. Furthermore, the main investigations, issues, and perspectives are demonstrated, and are discussed alongside the trending research areas and sustainable new materials. This work highlights different directives in several countries for liner construction standards and testing program specifications, analyzing their economic aspects. The main studies on the subject have been compiled, and a bibliometric analysis was performed. Thus, this paper concludes by pointing out gaps in the research regarding alternative materials and structures within geoenvironmental investigations on liners, and signposts future scientific threads related to sustainable development.

Keywords: review; state-of-the-art; bibliometric analysis; liner material; compacted clay liner; geosynthetic clay liner; geoenvironmental engineering; hydraulic barrier; sustainable materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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