LANDFILL BIOREACTOR CONFIGURATION, LEACHATE METAL CONCENTRATIONS AND MICROBIAL NUMBERS

摘要

Leachate samples from cells operating under two different bioreactor configurations were collected and analyzed for concentrations of metals and microbial numbers. Overall, the concentrations of metals in leachates, for most metals, did not vary from control to different bioreactor configurations. Addition of biosolids and aeration probably had some effect on iron concentrations in the leachate from two cells. A comparison of metal concentrations in solid waste extracts from freshly landfilled waste and leachate for duplicate cells operated as aerobic/anaerobic reactor, indicates retention of metals within the solid waste. For zinc, leachate concentrations from two cells, were on an average 1.39-10.2% of that found in solid waste. Higher concentrations were found in solid waste extracts when compared to leachate. Since the cells have been operated as bioreactors for less than one year, future sampling and analyses will be instrumental in understanding metal leaching from solid waste. Trace elements needed for bacterial metabolism are present in detectable quantities. Heavy/toxic metals were not found in high concentrations (as compared to USEPA drinking water standards) in the leachate samples after operation under bioreactor conditions.