In-Situ and On-Site Biodegradation of Industrial Landfill Leachate

摘要

Leachate from industrial landfills threatens surface water and groundwater quality and can pose significant management problems. In-situ and on-site treatment processes avoid the economic and technical disadvantages, as well as environmental risks, incurred by transport of this type of hazardous material to alternate treatment facilities. An in-situ/on-site treatment process has been developed utilizing biodegradation by a mixed microbial population, subsequent to lime flocculation pretreatment. Biodegradation is viewed as occurring in the landfill itself or in an adjacent soil system. To investigate the proposed treatment process, pilot-scale field experiments have been designed and carried out. A pilot-scale field installation, consisting of six soil columns, two feet in diameter and five feet deep, have been exposed to leachate applications under natural environmental conditions. Experiments were conducted using specimens of sandy loam and clay loam soils. The experiments were designed for complete effluent recovery, allowing material balances. Influent flow rates averaged about 10 liters/sq. meter/day. Reductions in excess of 95% were readily attainable.