What does biostabilization refer to?

Biostabilization refers to a biological decay process that effectively reduces the generation of leachate and gas, which are byproducts of waste decomposition. This process involves optimizing the conditions for microbial activity to break down organic matter in the landfill, ultimately stabilizing the waste. By encouraging the breakdown of biodegradable materials, biostabilization minimizes the potential for leachate, which can contaminate groundwater and create environmental hazards. Additionally, the reduction in gas generation is significant, as it helps mitigate issues related to greenhouse gas emissions.

The other choices do not accurately describe biostabilization. The first option, which suggests decomposition of organic wastes without managing leachate, contradicts the essence of biostabilization, where leachate management is a key goal. The third option, focusing on physical separation of waste materials, pertains more to waste sorting and recycling rather than biological processes. Finally, the fourth option, which describes the transformation of waste into new material, aligns more with waste recycling or recovery processes, not specifically biostabilization.