IMPROVEMENTS IN LEACHATE QUALITY AND LANDFILL MINING IN A BIOREACTOR LANDFILL

摘要

The authors have presented leachate quality results from eight years of operation of a full scale MSW bioreactor landfill. Dramatic improvements have been seen in leachate parameters that indicate accelerated biodegradation and stabilization of the waste mass. Measurement of the organic strength of the leachate through BOD and COD have shown time/strength variations that are consistent with the model of leachate-enabled degradation described by others. Changes in pH and metals reflected the phased degradation of the organic acids and the carrying capacity of the leachate for metals. Clear patterns of degradation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds were demonstrated. The time for the leachate quality was shown to be less than four years which reinforces the critical role of leachate recirculation in managing the biodegradation process.