Environmental isotope characteristics of landfill leachates and gases

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Ground Water

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1996.tb02077.x· OSTI ID:395089

Hackley, K C; Liu, C L ^[1]; Coleman, D D ^[2]

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1. Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL (United States)
2. Isotech Labs. Inc., Champaign, IL (United States)

The isotopic characteristics of municipal landfill leachate and gases (carbon dioxide and methane) are unique relative to the aqueous and gaseous media in most other natural geologic environments. The {delta}{sup 13}C of the CO{sub 2} in landfills is significantly enriched in {sup 13}C, with values as high as +20{per_thousand} reported. The {delta}{sup 13} C and {delta}D values of the methane fall within a range of values representative of microbial methane produced primarily by the acetate-fermentation process. The {delta}D of landfill leachate is strongly enriched in deuterium, by approximately 30{per_thousand} to nearly 60{per_thousand} relative to local average precipitation values. This deuterium enrichment is undoubtedly due to the extensive production of microbial methane within the limited reservoir of a landfill. The concentration of the radiogenic isotopes, {sup 14}C and {sup 3}H, are significantly elevated in both landfill leachate and methane. The {sup 14}C values range between approximately 120 and 170 pMC and can be explained by the input of organic material that was affected by the increased {sup 14}C content of atmospheric CO{sub 2} caused by atmospheric testing of nuclear devices. The tritium measured in leachate, however, is often too high to be explained by previous atmospheric levels and must come from material buried within the landfill. The unique isotopic characteristics observed in landfill leachates and gases provide a very useful technique for confirming whether contamination is from a municipal landfill or some other local source.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 395089
• Journal Information: Ground Water, Journal Name: Ground Water Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 34; ISSN GRWAAP; ISSN 0017-467X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON 13
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LEACHATES
METHANE
POLLUTION SOURCES
SANITARY LANDFILLS
TRACER TECHNIQUES