Excavation and characterization of refuse in closed landfill

Refuse in landfills becomes stabilized as organic matter in refuse degrades and soluble inorganic substances dissolve during their long term stabilization process. In this paper, this process is also referred to as mineralization process and the resultant stabilized refuse referred to as aged refuse. Aged refuse contains a wide spectrum and huge quantity of microorganisms with strong decomposition capability for refractory organic matter present in some wastewater such as leachate. In this study, aged refuse excavated from 2 to 10 years old closed landfill compartments in Shanghai Refuse Landfill is characterized in terms of particulate distribution by screening, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, biodegradable matter. The approaches for redevelopment of both land and aged refuse in the stabilized landfills are proposed.