Household hazardous waste disposal to landfill: using LandSim to model leachate migration

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate contains a number of aquatic pollutants. A specific MSW stream often referred to as household hazardous waste (HHW) can be considered to contribute a large proportion of these pollutants. This paper describes the use of the LandSim (Landfill Performance Simulation) modelling program to assess the environmental consequences of leachate release from a generic MSW landfill in receipt of co-disposed HHW. Heavy metals and organic pollutants were found to migrate into the zones beneath a model landfill site over a 20,000-year period. Arsenic and chromium were found to exceed European Union and US-EPA drinking water standards at the unsaturated zone/aquifer interface, with levels of mercury and cadmium exceeding minimum reporting values (MRVs). The findings demonstrate the pollution potential arising from HHW disposal with MSW.     

Long-term characterization, lagoon treatment and migration potential of landfill leachate: a case study in an active Italian landfill

The elaboration of 10 years of monitoring of leachate quality and quantity, leachate treatment and degree of contamination of soil and surface waters at the Tre Monti site--an active, 4-million-m(3) landfill in Northern Italy--is presented in this study. A hydrological model of leachate production is applied, with a good match of the experimental data. The concentrations of all leachate components except sulfate are characterized by fluctuations over a constant or increasing value. Different ways of interpreting leachate quality data are discussed; the elaboration indicates that the pollutant load on the leachate treatment facility will remain basically constant as long as waste will be added to the landfill. The analysis of the data relative to 10 years of leachate pre-treatment in the adjoining, non-aerated lagoon system indicates that a significant removal is achieved for most leachate components; the operational conditions of the plant are described, and the removal mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the potential for contamination of soil and surface waters is examined by analyzing long-term quality trends of the sub-superficial waters sampled near the lagoons and by means of an analytical campaign conducted on clay cores sampled near and underneath the treatment ponds. The experimental values indicate that the clay layer located under the entire site offers an effective barrier to the migration of leachate contaminants.     

Enhanced stabilisation and methane potential of MSWs in a field-scale landfill with leachate recirculation

This study was carried out on two field scale test cells constructed at Odayeri Sanitary Landfill (OSL) located at the European side of Istanbul city. Approximately 11,000 tons of municipal solid wastes (MSW) were filled at equal quantities to each cell (C1 and C2). Leachate was periodically recirculated to one (C2) of the test cells in various quantities. These cells are compared in terms of leachate quality (pH, BOD and COD), methane potential (MP) of wastes and surface settlement for a monitoring period of 0–400 days. Experimental results showed that optimum pH for anaerobic decomposition was reached in a shorter period of time in C2 compared to C1. Moreover, BOD and COD concentrations were decreased more rapidly in C2 cell than in C1 cell. BOD/COD ratio was determined as 0.25 and 0.17 for C1 and C2 cells consequently after 380 days from placement of refuse to the test cells. In MP tests, first order rate constants for cell C1 and C2 were found be 0.145 year^-1 and 0.222 year^-1, respectively. Topographic measurements revealed that cumulative settlements after 12 months from refuse placement were 0.49 and 0.70 m for C1 and C2 cells, respectively. According to results obtained from this study, it can be concluded that appropriate conditions can cause enhance in the decomposition rate of MSW.     

Risk assessment and investigation of landfill leachate as a source of emerging organic contaminants to the surrounding environment: a case study of the largest landfill in Jinan City,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) have been widely studied in landfill leachates but not in the surrounding environment of landfills. In this...     

Study of colloidal content and associated heavy metals in landfill leachate: a case study of El-Akader landfill site: Jordan

Landfill leachate samples were collected anaerobically at six locations at the El-Akader landfill site in North Jordan. The collected leachate samples were separated into size fractions with special attention to the distribution of colloids and associated heavy metals. The fraction sizes were 1.2 μm. The maximum concentrations of heavy metals in the analysed leachate samples were Cd 0.6 μg/l, Ni 25 μg/l, Zn 245 μg/l, Cu 15 μg/l and Pb 2.50 μg/l. In the dissolved particular matter the heavy metals concentration ranges were Cd 0.1–1.1 μg/l, Ni 0.35–1.5 μg/l, Zn 85–105 μg/l, Cu 0–0.95 μg/l and Pb 0.5–2.5 μg/l.     

Identification of a potential source of chloroform in urban air: Preliminary Communication

A new potential source of elevated chloroform (CHCl₃) concentrations in urban air is reported. The exhaust gases from gasoline internal combustion engines operated on conventional “leaded” fuel and not equipped with catalytic converters contain parts-per-billion concentrations of chloroform which can, in congested urban areas, contribute significantly to the ambient concentration of chloroform. Exhaust gases from engines burning conventional “leaded” gasoline contain much higher levels of chloroform than do exhaust gases from engines equipped with catalytic converters and operating on “nonleaded” gasoline.     

The biological treatment of landfill leachate using a simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic (SAA) bio-reactor system

A set of simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic (SAA) bio-reactor system was used for the removal of organic pollutants and ammonia in the landfill leachate generated from Datian Shan Landfill in Guangzhou, China. The influent concentrations of COD and NH(4)(+)-N were 1000-3300 and 80-230 mg L(-1), respectively. The average effluent concentrations of COD and NH(4)(+)-N were 131 and 7 mg L(-1), respectively. The concentrations of COD and NH(4)(+)-N had reached the Chinese second grade effluent standard (COD<300 mg L(-1), NH(4)(+)-N<25 mg L(-1)) for this kind of wastewater. Gas chromatogram-mass spectrum (GC/MS) analysis was used to measure the organic pollutants in the landfill leachate. About 87 organics were detected in this landfill leachate, and 16 of them belong to the list of environmental priority pollutants established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. About 31 of the 87 organic pollutants were completely removed by the SAA bio-reactor, the concentrations of further 14 organic pollutants were reduced by more than 80%, and the removal efficiencies of the other 25 organic pollutants were over 50%.     

Identification of a reactive degradation zone at a landfill leachate plume fringe using high resolution sampling and incubation techniques

Vertical small-scale variation in phenoxy acid herbicide degradation across a landfill leachate plume fringe was studied using laboratory degradation experiments. Sediment cores (subdivided into 5 cm segments) were collected in the aquifer and the sediment and porewater were used for microcosm experiments (50 experiments) and for determination of solid organic carbon, solid-water partitioning coefficients, specific phenoxy acid degraders and porewater chemistry. Results from a multi-level sampler installed next to the cores provided information on the plume position and oxygen concentration in the groundwater. Oxygen concentration was controlled individually in each microcosm to mimic the conditions at their corresponding depths. A highly increased degradation potential existed at the narrow plume fringe (37.7 to 38.6 masl), governed by the presence of phenoxy acids and oxygen. This resulted in the proliferation of a microbial population of specific phenoxy acid degraders, which further enhanced the degradation potential for phenoxy acids at the fringe. The results illustrate the importance of fringe degradation processes in contaminant plumes. Furthermore, they highlight the relevance of using high-resolution sampling techniques as well as controlled microcosm experiments in the assessment of the natural attenuation capacity of contaminant plumes in groundwater.     

Integration of multi-channel piezometry and electrical tomography to better define chemical heterogeneity in a landfill leachate plume within a sand aquifer

The Hanai-Bruggeman effective medium theory is used to relate bulk electrical conductivity, measured by surface and cross-borehole images, to fluid electrical conductivity, surface conductance, porosity and the geometry factor, in a medium- to fine-grained sand deposit. The change in bulk EC is caused by the presence of a landfill leachate plume. Repeated electrical images over a period of 16 months indicate that various segments of the plume are moving. The chemical constituents of the leachate plume have been determined by sampling from a bundled piezometer located in the electrical image field. Very close agreement is demonstrated between the fluid EC anomaly and the presence of elevated bulk EC indicating that the electrical images can be used to map the plume geometry and to monitor the movement of the plume segments.     

Emission and fate assessment of methyl tertiary butyl ether in the Boston area airshed using a simple multimedia box model: comparison with urban air measurements

Expected urban air concentrations of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) were calculated using volatile emissions estimates and screening transport models, and these predictions were compared with Boston, MA, area urban air measurements. The total volatile flux of MTBE into the Boston primary metropolitan statistical area (PMSA) airshed was calculated based on estimated automobile nontailpipe emissions and the Universal Quasi-Chemical Functional-Group Activity Coefficient computed abundance of MTBE in gasoline vapor. The fate of MTBE in the Boston PMSA was assessed using both the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances, which is a steady-state multimedia box model, and a simple airshed box model. Both models were parameterized based on the meteorological conditions observed during air sampling in the Boston area. Measured average urban air concentrations of 0.1 and 1 microg/m3 MTBE during February and September of 2000, respectively, were comparable to corresponding model predictions of 0.3 and 1 microg/m3 and could be essentially explained from estimated temperature-dependent volatile emissions rates, observed average wind speed (the airshed flushing rate), and reaction with ambient tropospheric hydroxyl radical (*OH), within model uncertainty. These findings support the proposition that one can estimate gasoline component source fluxes and use simple multimedia models to screen the potential impact of future proposed gasoline additives on urban airsheds.     

A model for estimating the potential biomagnification of chemicals in a generic food web: Preliminary development

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of organic pollutants have been increasingly assessed and modeled during the last years. Due to the complexity of these processes and the large variability of food webs, setting generic assessments for these parameters is really difficult. Equilibrium models, based on a compound's lipophylicity, are the main tool in regulatory proposals, such as for identifying Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substances (PBTs), although a refinement has been claimed by the scientific community. Toxicokinetic studies offer an alternative for these estimations, where biomagnification is modeled as a succession of bioaccumulation processes, each one regulated by toxicokinetic parameters. METHODS: A review of kinetic models covering species belonging to different trophic levels and with different ecological behavior has been conducted. The results were employed for setting a conceptual model for estimating the biomagnification potential in a generic food web, which was mathematically implemented through system dynamic models developed under data sheet software. Crystal Ball was then employed for allowing Monte Carlo based probabilistic calculations. Bioaccumulation laboratory assays have been performed to estimate toxicokinetic parameters in mussels (Mytilus edulis) with two PAHs (chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene). The contamination was delivered via food. The exposure period lasted more than one month followed then by a depuration phase. The contaminant content was determined on an individual basis on five replicates. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:. The reviewed information suggested the development of a tiered conceptual biomagnification model, starting with a simplified food chain which can be refined to more realistic and complex models in successive levels. CONCLUSIONS: The mathematical implementation of the conceptual model offers tools for estimating the potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification of chemicals under very different conditions. The versatility of the model can be used for both comparative estimations and for validating the model. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Since bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes are crucial elements for a proper risk assessment of chemicals, their estimation by mathematical models has been widely tested. However, inregulatory assessments, too simplistic models are still being used quite often. The biomagnification model presented in this study should be amore accurate alternative to these models. In comparison to other previously published biomagnification models, the present one covers the time variation of bioaccumulation using just a few toxicokinetic parameters.     

Temporal variation in leachate composition of a newly constructed landfill site in Lahore in context to environmental pollution and risks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the seasonal and temporal variations in the extent and source of physiochemical and toxic trace elements in the Lakhodair...     

Analysis of coupled model uncertainties in source-to-dose modeling of human exposures to ambient air pollution: A PM2.5 case study

Quantitative assessment of human exposures and health effects due to air pollution involve detailed characterization of impacts of air quality on exposure and dose. A key challenge is to integrate these three components on a consistent spatial and temporal basis taking into account linkages and feedbacks. The current state-of-practice for such assessments is to exercise emission, meteorology, air quality, exposure, and dose models separately, and to link them together by using the output of one model as input to the subsequent downstream model. Quantification of variability and uncertainty has been an important topic in the exposure assessment community for a number of years. Variability refers to differences in the value of a quantity (e.g., exposure) over time, space, or among individuals. Uncertainty refers to lack of knowledge regarding the true value of a quantity. An emerging challenge is how to quantify variability and uncertainty in integrated assessments over the source-to-dose continuum by considering contributions from individual as well as linked components. For a case study of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in North Carolina during July 2002, we characterize variability and uncertainty associated with each of the individual concentration, exposure and dose models that are linked, and use a conceptual framework to quantify and evaluate the implications of coupled model uncertainties. We find that the resulting overall uncertainties due to combined effects of both variability and uncertainty are smaller (usually by a factor of 3–4) than the crudely multiplied model-specific overall uncertainty ratios. Future research will need to examine the impact of potential dependencies among the model components by conducting a truly coupled modeling analysis.     

In situ exposures using caged organisms: a multi-compartment approach to detect aquatic toxicity and bioaccumulation

An in situ toxicity and bioaccumulation assessment approach is described to assess stressor exposure and effects in surface waters (low and high flow), the sediment-water interface, surficial sediments and pore waters (including groundwater upwellings). This approach can be used for exposing species, representing major functional and taxonomic groups. Pimephales promelas, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, Hyalella sp., Chironomus tentans, Lumbriculus variegatus, Hydra attenuatta, Hexagenia sp. and Baetis tibialis were successfully used to measure effects on survival, growth, feeding, and/or uptake. Stressors identified included chemical toxicants, suspended solids, photo-induced toxicity, indigenous predators, and flow. Responses varied between laboratory and in situ exposures in many cases and were attributed to differing exposure dynamics and sample-processing artifacts. These in situ exposure approaches provide unique assessment information that is complementary to traditional laboratory-based toxicity and bioaccumulation testing and reduce the uncertainties of extrapolating from the laboratory to field responses.     

Personal exposures of preschool children to carbon monoxide: Roles of ambient air quality and gas stoves

Personal 1 h mean CO exposures of preschool children in two day care centers (Töölö and Vallila) in Helsinki were measured with continuously recording personal exposure monitors. In Vallila, the median CO exposure of children from homes with gas stoves was 2.0 mg m⁻³, and with electric stoves, 0.9 mg m⁻³. In Töölö, the corresponding values were 1.9 and 1.0 mg m⁻³, respectively. The national ambient air quality guidelines for CO in Finland were exceeded in a few percent of the exposure measurements. The results were compared to fixed-site ambient air monitoring data and related to the presence of town-gas fired stoves in the children's homes. The results show that fixed-site ambient air monitors are of little value in predicting personal exposures of children or even their relative differences between areas. They also show that town-gas fired stoves may have a profound effect on the CO exposures of the children.     

An analytical model for the transport,dispersion and elimination of air pollutants emitted from a point source

The solution of the complete transport diffusion equation with a first order reaction term is obtained for a continuous source. A deposition velocity boundary condition is met at the ground and, optionally, a similar leakage velocity boundary condition can be met at the base of a superjacent layer. The identification of a preliminary transformation of the dependent variable that eliminates the transport and sink terms permits particularly simple analytic solutions to be obtained by means of conventional Laplace transform, Green's function methods. Prior solutions are compared with these results. A linearisation of the solution without an overlying layer provides a simple extension of the conventional Gaussian plume result that permits account to be taken of pollutant settling velocity, of absorption at the ground and of a first order reaction. The accuracy of this linearisation is assessed. Examples of the application of the methods to calculation of the distribution of particulates and of the formation of nitrogen dioxide in a plume are given.     

Determination of source contributions to ambient PM2.5 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, using a receptor model

Ambient particulates of PM2.5 were sampled at three sites in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, during February and March 1999. In addition, resuspended PM2.5 collected from traffic tunnels, paved roads, fly ash of a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator, and seawater was obtained. All the samples were analyzed for twenty constituents, including water-soluble ions, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and metallic elements. In conjunction with local source profiles and the source profiles in the model library SPECIATE EPA, the receptor model based on chemical mass balance (CMB) was then applied to determine the source contributions to ambient PM2.5. The mean concentration of ambient PM2.5 was 42.69-53.68 micrograms/m3 for the sampling period. The abundant species in ambient PM2.5 in the mass fraction for three sites were OC (12.7-14.2%), SO4(2-) (12.8-15.1%), NO3- (8.1-10.3%), NH4+ (6.7-7.5%), and EC (5.3-8.5%). Results of CMB modeling show that major pollution sources for ambient PM2.5 are traffic exhaust (18-54%), secondary aerosols (30-41% from SO4(2-) and NO3-), and outdoor burning of agriculture wastes (13-17%).     

Biogeochemical processes at the fringe of a landfill leachate pollution plume: potential for dissolved organic carbon, Fe(II), Mn(II), NH4, and CH4 oxidation

Various redox reactions may occur at the fringe of a landfill leachate plume, involving oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), CH4, Fe(II), Mn(II), and NH4 from leachate and reduction of O2, NO3 and SO4 from pristine groundwater. Knowledge on the relevance of these processes is essential for the simulation and evaluation of natural attenuation (NA) of pollution plumes. The occurrence of such biogeochemical processes was investigated at the top fringe of a landfill leachate plume (Banisveld, the Netherlands). Hydrochemical depth profiles of the top fringe were captured via installation of a series of multi-level samplers at 18, 39 and 58 m downstream from the landfill. Ten-centimeter vertical resolution was necessary to study NA within a fringe as thin as 0.5 m. Bromide appeared an equally well-conservative tracer as chloride to calculate dilution of landfill leachate, and its ratio to chloride was high compared to other possible sources of salt in groundwater. The plume fringe rose steadily from a depth of around 5 m towards the surface with a few meters in the period 1998-2003. The plume uplift may be caused by enhanced exfiltration to a brook downstream from the landfill, due to increased precipitation over this period and an artificial lowering of the water level of the brook. This rise invoked cation exchange including proton buffering, and triggered degassing of methane. The hydrochemical depth profile was simulated in a 1D vertical reactive transport model using PHREEQC-2. Optimization using the nonlinear optimization program PEST brought forward that solid organic carbon and not clay minerals controlled retardation of cations. Cation exchange resulted in spatial separation of Fe(II), Mn(II) and NH4 fronts from the fringe, and thereby prevented possible oxidation of these secondary redox species. Degradation of DOC may happen in the fringe zone. Re-dissolution of methane escaped from the plume and subsequent oxidation is an explanation for absence of previously present nitrate and anaerobic conditions in pristine groundwater above the plume. Stable carbon isotope (delta13C) values of methane confirm anaerobic methane oxidation immediately below the fringe zone, presumably coupled to reduction of sulfate, desorbed from iron oxide. Methane must be the principle reductant consuming soluble electron-acceptors in pristine groundwater, thereby limiting NA for other solutes including organic micro-pollutants at the fringe of this landfill leachate plume.     

Impacts of leachate of landfill on the groundwater hydrochemistry and size distributions and heavy metal components of colloids: a case study in NE China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Colloids associated with heavy metals are ubiquitous in contaminated groundwater; waste accumulation at imperfectly sealed landfills can produce large...