A liner (15, 25, 40) to prevent transmission of hydrocarbons from one location to another and from seeping into the ground has a flexible backing sheet (17, 26, 91) of suitable size which has one or more layers (16, 27, 42) of particles of clay or other minerals, which serves as an absorbent for hazardous waste volatiles which penetrate the flexible sheet. The mineral particles (16, 27, 42) act as a gas chromatograph and selectively gel or swell to form a leakproof layer. The materials that are prevented from passing the liner (15, 25, 40) are components such as toluene, benzene, trichloroethylene, and the like found in hazardous waste. The liner (15, 25, 40) also acts as a sealant for fuel tanks and ponds.
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