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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Trends in landfill leachate characteristics

Conference ·
OSTI ID:161777
 [1]
  1. Rust Environment and Infrastructure, Sheboygan, WI (United States)
Leachate may be defined as the water or other liquid that has been contaminated by dissolved or suspended materials due to contact with solid waste or gases within the landfill. Research shows that leachate composition is a function of various factors such as rainfall, refuse permeability, refuse depth, and landfill age. Of these factors, landfill age has been found to have the greatest effect on leachate composition. Generally, leachate from new landfills will be higher in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and will show a steady decline leveling off at about 10 years. Traditionally, leachate treatment methods have been based on the leachate`s metals, COD, and ammonia concentrations. A different approach based on mass of contaminant released from the landfill may be more appropriate. This paper presents data from a landfill (Landfill A) showing mass of contaminant release over a period of time. This paper also presents a different design approach based on leachate mass contaminant release in lieu of a design approach based on leachate concentrations.
OSTI ID:
161777
Report Number(s):
CONF-950978--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English