Mercury emissions as landfill gas from a large-scale abandoned landfill site in Seoul

The composition of landfill gas (LFG) was analyzed for vapor-phase mercury (Hg) (primarily in its elemental form, Hg⁰) and relevant environmental parameters from 42 out of 106 ventpipes placed across two different sectors of the Nan-Ji-Do (NJD) landfill site in Seoul, Korea during September/October 2000. Results of our studies showed that large quantities of Hg emanated through these ventpipes which were infiltrated deep into the waste layer. The mean concentration of Hg, computed using the data sets collected from 42 ventpipes, was 420 ng m⁻³ with a range of 3.45–2952 ng m⁻³. Because large differences were apparent in its concentration levels not only between the two sectors of 1 and 2 but also between the plain and slope areas, evaluation of the data was made by dividing them into four different categories, namely plain areas of sectors 1 and 2 and slope areas of sectors 1 and 2. By categorizing the data in such a manner, the emission fluxes of ventilated Hg were estimated for each data group at the NJD site. The flux values of Hg for each data group were distinguished so that the enhanced fluxes were observed in plain compared to slope areas. The computed LFG fluxes of Hg from the whole NJD site were on the order of 23 g on an annual basis. The overall results of our study suggest that the vent emission of Hg from the study site is comparable in magnitude to those reported previously (e.g., the Florida landfill sites in US), while the LFG emissions of Hg may not necessarily be the most dominant source in the NJD site.     

Treatment and detoxification of a sanitary landfill leachate

The leachate from an old sanitary landfill (Gramacho Metropolitan Landfill, Rio de Janeiro) was characterized and submitted to coagulation and flocculation treatment followed by ozonation and ammonia stripping. The performance of the treatment was assessed by monitoring the removal of organic matter (COD and TOC), ammonium nitrogen and metals. Detoxification was assessed by determining acute toxicity, using the following organisms: Vibrio fisheri, Daphnia similis, Artemia salina and Brachydanio rerio. Membrane fractionation was employed to infer the range of molecular masses of the pollutants found in the effluent, as well as the toxicity associated to these fractions. Of the techniques under investigation, coagulation and flocculation followed by ammonia stripping were the most effective for toxicity and ammonium nitrogen removal. Membrane fractionation was effective for COD removal; however, acute toxicity was almost the same in all the fractionated samples. Ozonation was moderately effective for COD removal, but significant toxicity removal was only attained when high ozone doses were used.     

利用填埋层内生物代谢控制生活垃圾填埋场渗滤液污染

讨论了目前国内卫生填埋场运行中存在的渗滤液问题 ,分析了不同填埋结构中生物代谢环境和主要污染物的代谢途径 ,探讨了不同填埋结构中利用渗滤液回灌来控制渗滤液污染的“生物反应器型”填埋技术。     

Surface emission of landfill gas from solid waste landfill

The surface emission of landfill gas (LFG) was studied to estimate the amount of LFG efflux from solid waste landfills using an air flux chamber. LFG efflux increased as atmospheric temperature increased during the day, and the same pattern for the surface emission was observed for the change of seasons. LFG efflux rate decreased from summer through winter. The average LFG efflux rates of winter, spring and summer were 0.1584, 0.3013 and 0.8597 m³ m⁻² h⁻¹ respectively. The total amount of surface emission was calculated based on the seasonal LFG efflux rate and the landfill surface area. From the estimates of LFG generation, it is expected that about 30% of the generated LFG may be released through the surface without extraction process. As forced extraction with a blower proceeded, the extraction well pressure decreased from 1100 to –100 mm H₂O, and the LFG surface efflux decreased markedly above 80%. Thus, the utilization of LFG by forced extraction would be the good solution for global warming and air pollution by LFG.     

The organic geochemistry of a sanitary landfill leachate plume

Leachate from the North Bay municipal landfill has contaminated an unconfined, sandy aquifer throughout the 700 m flow system from the site to a discharge zone at a creek. The major organic contaminants identified are aromatic hydrocarbons, especially substituted benzenes. The high groundwater velocity of about 75 m yr⁻¹ and the low organic sorption properties of the sand have permitted non-transformed contaminants to spread throughout the total flow system. There is considerable temporal and spatial variability in groundwater chemistry.Most of the aqueous organic carbon has a nominal molecular weight of <2000 and the general decrease in the mass of this fraction relative to Cl indicates it is being mineralized significantly during transport. IR spectra indicate a general trend of increased aromaticity and decreased OH content of organic matter along the flow system. The aqueous organic matter has a significant apparent complexing capacity and so it is somewhat surprising that toxic metal concentrations in leachate-impacted groundwaters are low. In the leachate plume, this complexing capacity is taken up by major cations and H⁺ and to a far lesser extent by toxic metals such as Pb, Cd or Zn.Dispersion is clearly responsible for considerable decrease in contaminant concentration along the flow system. Biotransformation under strictly anaerobic conditions has probably caused 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene to be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the landfill. A simple method of comparing the concentrations of pairs of organics at points along the flow system provides relative transformation rates for pairs of organics even with variable inputs from the landfill and dispersive dilution. Relative to ethylbenzene, o-xylene is rapidly lost from this system. O-xylene may be less persistent than m- or p-xylene; a result unexpected from previous studies of these dimethylbenzenes. In the initial, strictly anarobic segment of the flow system 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene are equally persistent, but in the final, less anaerobic segment, the former appears to be degraded more rapidly than the latter.Contaminant distributions in aquifers reflect the results of a number of processes integrated in a complex manner and so are difficult to interpret in terms of specific processes. However, they do provide evidence for what processes are most significant in real groundwater systems and they will also provide critical tests of how well laboratory-derived information relates to real groundwater contamination situations.     

Biogeochemistry and isotope geochemistry of a landfill leachate plume

The biogeochemical processes were identified which improved the leachate composition in the flow direction of a landfill leachate plume (Banisveld, The Netherlands). Groundwater observation wells were placed at specific locations after delineating the leachate plume using geophysical tests to map subsurface conductivity. Redox processes were determined using the distribution of solid and soluble redox species, hydrogen concentrations, concentration of dissolved gases (N(2), Ar, and CH(4)), and stable isotopes (delta15N-NO(3), delta34S-SO(4), delta13C-CH(4), delta2H-CH(4), and delta13C of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC, respectively)). The combined application of these techniques improved the redox interpretation considerably. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) decreased downstream in association with increasing delta13C-DOC values confirming the occurrence of degradation. Degradation of DOC was coupled to iron reduction inside the plume, while denitrification could be an important redox process at the top fringe of the plume. Stable carbon and hydrogen isotope signatures of methane indicated that methane was formed inside the landfill and not in the plume. Total gas pressure exceeded hydrostatic pressure in the plume, and methane seems subject to degassing. Quantitative proof for DOC degradation under iron-reducing conditions could only be obtained if the geochemical processes cation exchange and precipitation of carbonate minerals (siderite and calcite) were considered and incorporated in an inverse geochemical model of the plume. Simulation of delta13C-DIC confirmed that precipitation of carbonate minerals happened.     

Electrodegradation of landfill leachate in a flow electrochemical reactor

Sanitary landfills are the major method used today for the disposal and management of municipal solid waste. Decomposition of waste and rainfall generate leachate at the bottom of landfills, causing groundwater contamination. In this study, leachate from a municipal landfill site was treated by electrochemical oxidation in a pilot scale flow reactor, using oxide-coated titanium anode. The experiments were conducted under a constant flow rate of 2000 lh(-1) and the effect of current density on chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, color and ammonium removal was investigated. At a current density of 116.0 mA cm(-2) and 180 min of processing, the removal rates achieved were 73% for COD, 57% for TOC, 86% for color and 49% for ammonium. The process proved effective in degrading leachate, despite this effluent's usual refractoriness to treatment.     

Municipal landfill leachate-soil interactions: a kinetic approach

On investigating the effects of municipal landfill leachates on soils, it is found that the adsorption of landfill leachate constituents creates a "new" soil surface able to enhance heavy metal uptake. In particular, the treatment of soil with the total leachates led to an increase in its metal retention capability that was much higher than for each individual fraction. Results show that the leachate sorption on soil is regulated by the presence of leachate constituents with low molecular weight cut-off since these fractions are able to "accelerate" the sorption of higher molecular weight fractions. The rapidly sorbed lower molecular weight fractions create a different soil surface that is able to accommodate the high molecular weight constituents.     

生活垃圾填埋场矿化垃圾分选研究

对上海市老港生活垃圾填埋场填埋龄为1～14年的矿化垃圾进行了分选研究.结果表明,填埋龄在8年以上矿化垃圾细料(粒径＜50 mm)的百分比约占60%,而填埋龄低于5年的矿化垃圾细料比例低于40%.开采出来的垃圾经分选后的产品可得到有效的资源化利用.     

Methane balance of a bioreactor landfill in Latin America

This paper presents results from a methane (CH4) gas emission characterization survey conducted at the Loma Los Colorados landfill located 60 km from Santiago, Chile. The landfill receives approximately 1 million metric tons (t) of waste annually, and is equipped with leachate control systems and landfill gas collection systems. The collected leachate is recirculated to enable operation of the landfill as a bioreactor. For this study, conducted between April and July 2000, a total of 232 surface emission measurements were made over the 23-ha surface area of the landfill. The average surface flux rate of CH4 emissions over the landfill surface was 167 g x m(-2) x day(-1), and the total quantity of surface emissions was 13,320 t/yr. These values do not include the contribution made by "hot spots," originating from leachate pools caused by "daylighting" of leachate, that were identified on the landfill surface and had very high CH4 emission rates. Other point sources of CH4 emissions at this landfill include 20 disconnected gas wells that vent directly to the atmosphere. Additionally, there are 13 gas wells connected to an incinerator responsible for destroying 84 t/yr of CH4. The balance also includes CH4 that is being oxidized on the surface of the landfill by meth-anotrophic bacteria. Including all sources, except leachate pool emissions, the emissions were estimated to be 14,584 t/yr CH4. It was estimated that less than 1% of the gas produced by the decomposition of waste was captured by the gas collection system and 38% of CH4 generated was emitted to the atmosphere through the soil cover.     

Use of the landfill water pollution index (LWPI) for groundwater quality assessment near the landfill sites

The purpose of the paper is to assess the groundwater quality near the landfill sites using landfill water pollution index (LWPI). In order to investigate the scale of groundwater contamination, three landfills (E, H and S) in different stages of their operation were taken into analysis. Samples of groundwater in the vicinity of studied landfills were collected four times each year in the period from 2004 to 2014. A total of over 300 groundwater samples were analysed for pH, EC, PAH, TOC, Cr, Hg, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, as required by the UE legal acts for landfill monitoring system. The calculated values of the LWPI allowed the quantification of the overall water quality near the landfill sites. The obtained results indicated that the most negative impact on groundwater quality is observed near the old Landfill H. Improper location of piezometer at the Landfill S favoured infiltration of run-off from road pavement into the soil-water environment. Deep deposition of the groundwater level at Landfill S area reduced the landfill impact on the water quality. Conducted analyses revealed that the LWPI can be used for evaluation of water pollution near a landfill, for assessment of the variability of water pollution with time and for comparison of water quality from different piezometers, landfills or time periods. The applied WQI (Water Quality Index) can also be an important information tool for landfill policy makers and the public about the groundwater pollution threat from landfill.     

Iron-loaded mangosteen as a heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for the treatment of landfill leachate

Iron-loaded mangosteen shell powder (Fe-MSP) was found as an effective heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for the treatment of stabilized landfill leachate. Sonolytically produced catalyst has higher efficiency than other catalysts. At the optimal conditions (pH 3, catalyst concentration of 1,750 mg/L and hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.26 M), 81 % of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was removed effectively from the landfill leachate. But, the efficiency of Fe-MSP was reduced in the first recycling due to the poisoning of active sites. A metal leaching study indicated that the degradation of the pollutant is mainly due to solid Fe ions present in Fe-MSP rather than the leached ferrous and ferric ions. Hydroxyl radical production in the system was confirmed by the Fenton oxidation of benzoic acid. Compared to the homogeneous Fenton process, the heterogeneous Fenton process using Fe-MSP had higher COD removal efficiency, indicating the practical applicability of the prepared catalyst.     

垃圾填埋场渗滤液生物处理技术改造实例分析

综述了垃圾填埋场渗滤液的物理化学、生物、土地处理等技术。对某地已投入使用的垃圾填埋场渗滤液的生物处理设施技术改造进行了较详细的分析探讨。     

Study of the dispersion of VOCs emitted by a municipal solid waste landfill

The dispersion of VOCs emitted by a municipal solid waste landfill was studied for a period of over one year. Sixteen VOCs were monitored: linear alkanes from C₇ to C₁₁, BTEX, trimethylbenzene, trichlorethylene, tetrachlorethylene, α and β-pinenes, limonene. The analytical procedure was first comprised of static long-term sampling of about 2 months using radial diffusion Radiello tubes containing activated carbon, followed by extraction by solvent (i.e. CS₂) and GC/MS analysis. The results were initially analysed on the basis of the total concentration of the quantified VOCs, then by examining the concentrations of certain selected compounds. The influence of different parameters such as operating conditions, meteorological conditions and site morphology was highlighted on the basis of total VOC concentrations. In order to study the VOC's dispersion more closely, 5 compounds were chosen: toluene, benzene, limonene, and the sum trichlorethylene + tetrachlorethylene, as a “marker”, to verify the origin of the VOCs emitted. The results showed that the main source of VOCs is the open cell and lead to different hypotheses on interferences from neighbouring sources and to the proposal of solutions to limit the emission of VOCs and their dispersion. To our knowledge, this type of study has not been accomplished until this day.     

Utilisation of chemically stabilized arsenic-contaminated soil in a landfill cover

The aim of the study was to determine if an As-contaminated soil, stabilized using zerovalent iron (Fe⁰) and its combination with gypsum waste, coal fly ash, peat, or sewage sludge, could be used as a construction material at the top layer of the landfill cover. A reproduction of 2 m thick protection/vegetation layer of a landfill cover using a column setup was used to determine the ability of the amendments to reduce As solubility and stimulate soil functionality along the soil profile. Soil amendment with Fe⁰ was highly efficient in reducing As in soil porewater reaching 99 % reduction, but only at the soil surface. In the deeper soil layers (below 0.5 m), the Fe treatment had a reverse effect, As solubility increased dramatically exceeding that of the untreated soil or any other treatment by one to two orders of magnitude. A slight bioluminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri was detected in the Fe⁰ treatment. Soil amendment with iron and peat showed no toxicity to bacteria and was the most efficient in reducing dissolved As in soil porewater throughout the 2 m soil profile followed by iron and gypsum treatment, most likely resulting from a low soil density and a good air diffusion to the soil. The least suitable combination of soil amendments for As immobilization was a mixture of iron with coal fly ash. An increase in all measured enzyme activities was observed in all treatments, particularly those receiving organic matter. For As to be stable in soil, a combination of amendments that can keep the soil porous and ensure the air diffusion through the entire soil layer of the landfill cover is required.     

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.     

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.     

生活垃圾填埋场渗滤液处理技术研究

根据处理工艺原理的不同 ,分别介绍生化和物化处理技术、膜处理技术、土地处理技术和蒸发处理技术等处理工艺研究与应用的进展情况 ,同时根据我国填埋场渗滤液的产生特点和处理处置现状 ,展望了我国渗滤液处理工艺的发展趋势。     

曝气频率对生物反应器渗滤液与填埋气的影响

传统生物反应器填埋场长期以来存在酸化阶段过长和能源回收利用率低等同题.上层垃圾好氧处理可有效实现垃圾快速降解与集中甲烷化.为探究好氧处理阶段不同曝气频率对生物反应器填埋场运行效果的影响,设置厌氧生物反应器A1作为对照,曝气频率不同的上层曝气式生物反应器C1和C2为实验组进行实验.结果表明,上层垃圾好氧处理可有效改善填埋柱内高浓度挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)累积现象,缩短酸化阶段,促进甲烷化环境建立.至曝气结束,C1和C2填埋柱内渗滤液COD低于30 000 mg/L,VFA浓度降也降低到10 000 mg/L以下.好氧处理阶段,增大曝气频率可提高填埋垃圾对渗滤液pH的缓冲作用,扩大甲烷化面积,促进高浓度甲烷化过程的快速发生.与C1相比,曝气频率较高的C2反应器提前15 d达到pH为7的预处理要求,曝气阶段氨氮浓度经历先上后下,填埋柱日产甲烷量700 mL,约为C1产气能力的2倍.但考虑到实际氧气利用率与经济性能问题,曝气频率的选择不宜过大.     

中晚期垃圾渗滤液的处理研究

垃圾渗滤液的处理一直是近几年污水处理领域的热点和难点问题.采用"吹脱-SBR-混凝沉淀-氯化"处理工艺对中晚期垃圾渗滤液进行实验研究,确定了各工艺的最佳运行参数,并对SBR的强化进行了新的探索.结果表明,该工艺可使垃圾渗滤液的COD值从1360 mg/L下降到93.6 mg/L,BOD5值从320 mg/L降低到28mg/L,NH3-N的值从1098.6 mg/L下降到16.1 mg/L,出水色度接近无色,处理效果良好.