Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Leachate”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

The effect of landfill leachate composition on organics and nitrogen removal in an activated sludge system with bentonite additive.

A pre-denitrification activated sludge system (AS) without internal recycle was used in lab-scale studies of landfill leachate treatment. A bentonite supplement at a ratio of 1:4 (mineral : biomass) was used to ensure high sludge settling levels and to serve as a micro-organisms carrier. The system was operated within different parameters such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), ammonia loading rate (ALR) or external recycle ratio, which was adapted to treat varying leachate concentrations of COD and ammonia, ranging from 1020 to 2680 mgO(2)l(-1) and 400-890 mgNH(4)-Nl(-1) respectively. The nitrification was complete and ammonia oxidation reached 99%; this was obtained while the ALR did not exceed 0.09 g NH(4)(+)-Ng(-1)MLVSS d(-1) and HRT was not lower than 1 day (in the aeration reactor). The performance of denitrification was successfully improved by controlling the external recycle rate, when the BOD(5)/N ratio in the raw leachate was 4.1. Consequently, N-removal of up to 80% was achieved. A 10-fold decrease in the denitrification rate was obtained at a BOD(5)/N ratio of 0.5. The efficiency of COD removal varied significantly from 36% to 84%. The positive effect of bentonite addition was determined and is discussed based on preliminary studies. The experiments were carried out in fill-and-draw activated sludge with bentonite; the biomass ratio was 1:2. The activated sludge with bentonite was fed with a synthetic high ammonia and organic-free medium.

Bentonite↗

Use of clay mineral (montmorillonite) for reducing poultry litter leachate toxicity (EC50).

Poultry litter (PL) has useful nutrients and is therefore used as manure. In addition to N, P and K, PL also contains some heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn), antibiotics, antioxidants, mold inhibitors and other organic compounds. Poultry litter aqueous leachate (PLL) has been shown to be toxic to many organisms; PLL is more toxic than the aqueous leachate of other animal manures used on agricultural soils. Clayey soils are known to retain toxic heavy metals. The objective of this study was to measure the change in toxicity (EC50) of PLL on the addition of clay mineral--montmorillonite. A significant reduction (124%) in toxicity of the clay poultry litter leachate (CLL) after 7 days was observed compared to the toxicity of the PLL alone after 1 day. This indicates that some of the toxic components of the litter were adsorbed by the clay.

Adsorption↗

Optimization of Fenton process for the treatment of landfill leachate.

The treatment of landfill leachate by Fenton process was carried out in a batch reactor. The effect of operating conditions such as reaction time, pH, H2O2 to Fe(II) molar ratio, Fenton's reagent dosage, initial COD strength, feeding mode, the type of polymer, and temperature on the efficacy of Fenton process was investigated. It is demonstrated that Fenton's reagent can effectively degrade leachate organics. Fenton process was so fast that it was complete in 30 min. The oxidation of organic materials in the leachate was pH dependent and the optimal pH was 2.5. The favorable H2O2 to Fe(II) molar ratio was 1.5, and organic removal increased as dosage increased at the favorable H2O2 to Fe(II) molar ratio. The efficacy of Fenton process was improved by adding Fenton's reagent in multiple steps than that in a single step. Furthermore, the stepwise addition of both hydrogen peroxide and ferrous iron was more effective than that of hydrogen peroxide only. Sludge settling characteristics were much improved with the addition of the proper polymer. Temperature gave a positive effect on organic removal.

Environmental Pollutants↗

Treatment of landfill leachate by Fenton's reagent in a continuous stirred tank reactor.

The treatment of landfill leachate by Fenton process was carried out in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The effect of operating conditions such as reaction time, hydraulic retention time, pH, H(2)O(2) to Fe(II) molar ratio, Fenton's reagent dosage, initial COD strength, and temperature on the efficacy of Fenton process was investigated. It is demonstrated that Fenton's reagent can effectively degrade leachate organics. Fenton process reached the steady state after three times of hydraulic retention. The oxidation of organic materials in the leachate was pH dependent and the optimal pH was 2.5. The favorable H(2)O(2) to Fe(II) molar ratio was 3, and organic removal increased as dosage increased at the favorable H(2)O(2) to Fe(II) molar ratio. Temperature gave a positive effect on organic removal.

Environmental Pollutants↗

The influences on leachate from landfill of incineration residuals by acid precipitation.

Incineration of municipal solid wastes (MSW) is the main method of waste management in Taiwan. Although the incineration of MSW processes the solid wastes at 850-950 degrees C and destroys most of the organics, the content of incineration ashes is still a problem for landfill. Moreover, acid precipitation is much worse than before in Taiwan, especially in the northern areas. For instance, the occurrence probabilities of acid precipitation measured from 1991 to 1998 in Taipei increase from 73% to 85%. Therefore, it is more important to get a series of data that will help explore the influence of acid precipitation during disposal on characterization of pollutants than to analyze the ash properties after the incinerators have been constructed and regularly used. In this investigation, the disposal site of incineration ashes is simulated in laboratory by test columns. An irrigation experiment is taken to simulate the acid precipitation at room temperature. In order to explore the exact influence on leachate quality of the main chemical composition of acid precipitation, columns are migrated with different concentrations of sulfate in acid precipitation. This investigation showed that the sulfate concentration of acid precipitation has an increasing effect on the accumulative release of heavy metals, such as Zn, Pb and Cu, from leachate. The sulfate concentration of acid precipitation, however, will not influence the trend of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)) and total organic carbon (TOC) in the leachate release.

Acids↗

Landfill leachate treatment with ozone and ozone/hydrogen peroxide systems.

In the search for an efficient and economical method to treat a leachate generated from a controlled municipal solid waste landfill site (Jebel Chakir) in the region of greater Tunis in Tunisia, ozone alone and ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide were studied. The leachate was characterised by high COD, low biodegradability and intense dark colour. A purpose-built reactor, to avoid foaming, was used for the study. It was found that ozone efficacy was almost doubled when combined with hydrogen peroxide at 2g/L but higher H(2)O(2) concentrations gave lower performances. Enhancement in the leachate biodegradability from about 0.1 to about 0.7 was achieved by the O(3)/H(2)O(2) system. Insignificant changes in pH that may due to buffering effect of bicarbonate was found. A small decrease in sulphate concentrations were also observed. In contrast, chloride concentration declined at the beginning of the experiment then increased to reach its initial value. Estimates of the operating costs were made for comparison purposes and it was found that the O(3)/H(2)O(2) system at 2g/L H(2)O(2) gave the lowest cost of about 3.1TND( approximately 2.3USD)/kgCOD removed.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Toxicity of untreated wood leachates towards two saltwater organisms (Crassostrea gigas and Artemia franciscana).

Wood is widely used in the development of freshwater, estuarine and marine coastlines. Timbers last according to their content of naturally occurring preservatives (mostly phenols and aldehydes), produced to prevent decay from biotic agents. When untreated woods are exposed to aquatic media, leachates are generated with likely toxic effects on the target environment. The potential impact on saltwaters of leachates from some untreated timbers of both native and tropical species has been assessed. The leaching procedure was set up considering British Standard test methods for paints and OECD guidelines for wood preservatives emission scenarios. Toxicity was monitored via the acute toxicity test with the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana and the sub-chronic embryotoxicity test with the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Brine shrimps evidenced no toxic effects while oysters discriminated well among leachates: the tropical wood species showed similar or relatively lower toxic effects than the native ones according to both leaching cycles (24 and 72 h). The ecotoxicological data have been integrated with some physical and chemical parameters.

Animals↗

Household hazardous waste in municipal landfills: contaminants in leachate.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes waste from a number of household products such as paint, garden pesticides, pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, certain detergents, personal care products, fluorescent tubes, waste oil, heavy metal-containing batteries, wood treated with dangerous substances, waste electronic and electrical equipment and discarded CFC-containing equipment. Data on the amounts of HHW discarded are very limited and are hampered by insufficient definitions of what constitutes HHW. Consequently, the risks associated with the disposal of HHW to landfill have not been fully elucidated. This work has focused on the assessment of data concerning the presence of hazardous chemicals in leachates as evidence of the disposal of HHW in municipal landfills. Evidence is sought from a number of sources on the occurrence in landfill leachates of hazardous components (heavy metals and xenobiotic organic compounds [XOC]) from household products and the possible disposal-to-emissions pathways occurring within landfills. This review demonstrates that a broad range of xenobiotic compounds occurring in leachate can be linked to HHW but further work is required to assess whether such compounds pose a risk to the environment and human health as a result of leakage/seepage or through treatment and discharge.

Air Pollutants↗

Pro-apoptotic effect of fly ash leachates in hepatocytes of freshwater fish (Channa punctata Bloch).

The pro-apoptotic effect of fly ash leachates (FAL) was studied in the hepatocytes of an Indian freshwater fish, Channa punctata Bloch. Hepatocytes were exposed to different concentrations of '7-day' FAL for 24 and 48h and various parameters of apoptosis were studied using standardized procedures. FAL-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes was indicated by cytological examination, DNA fragmentation and DNA laddering. The induction in cytochrome-c release, caspases 3, 7, 10 and 9 activities and lactate dehydrogenase level provide mechanistic platform for FAL-induced apoptosis. Cytological examination showed an unambiguous apoptotic effect of ash leachates in fish hepatocytes. Exposed hepatocytes also showed increased production of H(2)O(2), superoxide ions and an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO). The present study suggests a possible role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in FAL-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes. Lactate dehydrogenase, LPO and apoptosis as biomarkers of cytotoxicity have recently been used for assessment of ecotoxicological impact of environmental chemicals. Our findings show that these biomarkers may also be used for evaluation of ecotoxicological impact of complex chemical mixture such as fly ash and its leachates.

Animals↗

Tests for the evaluation of ammonium attenuation in MSW landfill leachate by adsorption into bentonite in a landfill liner.

Uncontrolled leachate emissions are one of the key factors in the environmental impact of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The concentration of ammonium, given the anaerobic conditions in traditional landfills, can remain significantly high for a very long period of time, as degradation does not take place and volatilisation is not significant (the pH is not high enough to considerably shift the equilibrium towards un-ionised ammonia). Recent years have witnessed a continuous enhancement of landfill technology in order to minimize uncontrolled emissions into the environment; bottom lining systems have been improved and more attention has been devoted to the study of the attenuation of the different chemicals in leachate in case of migration through the mineral barrier. Different natural materials have been considered for use as components of landfill liners in the last years and tested in order to evaluate the performance of the different alternatives. Among those materials, bentonite is often used, coupled with other materials in two different ways: in addition to in situ soil or in geocomposite clay liner (GCL). A lab-scale test was carried out in order to further investigate the influence of bentonite on the attenuation of ammonium in leachate passing through a landfill liner. Two different tests were conducted: a standardized batch test with pulverized bentonite and a batch test with compacted bentonite. The latter was proposed in order to better simulate the real conditions in a landfill liner. The two tests produced values for the partition coefficient K(d) higher than the average measured for other natural materials usually utilized as components of landfill liners. Moreover, the two tests showed similar results, thus providing a further validation of the suitability of the standard batch test with pulverized bentonite. A thorough knowledge of attenuation processes of ammonium in landfill liners is the basis for the application of risk analysis models for the evaluation of the failure of bottom liners or their components.

Adsorption↗

Organics removal from landfill leachate and activated sludge production in SBR reactors.

This study is aimed at estimating organic compounds removal and sludge production in SBR during treatment of landfill leachate. Four series were performed. At each series, experiments were carried out at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12, 6, 3 and 2d. The series varied in SBR filling strategies, duration of the mixing and aeration phases, and the sludge age. In series 1 and 2 (a short filling period, mixing and aeration phases in the operating cycle), the relationship between organics concentration (COD) in the leachate treated and HRT was pseudo-first-order kinetics. In series 3 (with mixing and aeration phases) and series 4 (only aeration phase) with leachate supplied by means of a peristaltic pump for 4h of the cycle (filling during reaction period) - this relationship was zero-order kinetics. Activated sludge production expressed as the observed coefficient of biomass production (Y(obs)) decreased correspondingly with increasing HRT. The smallest differences between reactors were observed in series 3 in which Y(obs) was almost stable (0.55-0.6 mg VSS/mg COD). The elimination of the mixing phase in the cycle (series 4) caused the Y(obs) to decrease significantly from 0.32 mg VSS/mg COD at HRT 2d to 0.04 mg VSS/mg COD at HRT 12d. The theoretical yield coefficient Y accounted for 0.534 mg VSS/mg COD (series 1) and 0.583 mg VSS/mg COD (series 2). In series 3 and 4, it was almost stable (0.628 mg VSS/mg COD and 0.616 mg VSS/mg COD, respectively). After the elimination of the mixing phase in the operating cycle, the specific biomass decay rate increased from 0.006 d(-1) (series 3) to 0.032 d(-1) (series 4). The operating conditions employing mixing/aeration or only aeration phases enable regulation of the sludge production. The SBRs operated under aerobic conditions are more favourable at a short hydraulic retention time. At long hydraulic retention time, it can lead to a decrease in biomass concentration in the SBR as a result of cell decay. On the contrary, in the activated sludge at long HRT, a short filling period and operating cycle of the reactor with the mixing and aeration phases seem the most favourable.

Kinetics↗

Hydro-mechanical behavior of municipal solid waste subject to leachate recirculation in a large-scale compression reactor cell.

The paper presents the results of a laboratory experiment on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) subjected to one-dimensional compression in a 1 m3 instrumented cell. The focus was on the hydro-mechanical behavior of the material under conditions of confinement and leachate percolation that replicate those found in real-scale landfills. The operation of the apparatus is detailed together with the testing methodology and the monitoring program. Two samples of waste were tested: the first extended over a period of 10 months ('Control Test') and the second for 22 months ('Enhanced Test' with leachate recirculation). Consolidation data is reported with regard to both short-term (stress-dependent) and long-term (time-dependent) settlements. A discussion follows based on the derived values of primary and secondary compression ratios. Correlations between compression parameters and the biodegradation process are presented. In particular, results clearly highlight the effect of leachate recirculation on waste settlement: 24% secondary deformation reached after slightly less than 2 years (equivalent to a 5-fold increase in compressibility) and 17.9% loss of dry matter. Comparisons are proposed considering the results derived from the few monitoring programs conducted on experimental bioreactors worldwide. Finally, the hydraulic characterization of waste is discussed with regard to the evaluation of effective porosity and permeability.

Cities↗

Treatment of a high-strength sulphate-rich alkaline leachate using an anaerobic filter.

The research looks at the feasibility of treating an alkaline sulphate-rich leachate arising from the co-disposal of municipal solid waste with cement kiln dust by means of an anaerobic filter (AF). This type of leachate with a high sulphate concentration is commonly prohibited for discharge to sewer and requires an on-site treatment solution. The AF used had a working volume of 4l and contained reticulated polyurethane foam as the biomass support material. The filters were operated over a 152 day experimental period during which the COD loading onto the filter was increased from 0.76 to 7.63kgCODm(-3)d(-1). In the early stages of operation at low loading, soluble sulphides accumulated that inhibited methanogenic activity. This was restored by dosing FeCl(3) to the reactor. The continued dosing allowed efficient COD removal of between 75% and 90% until the nominal retention time in the reactor was 3 days, at which point reactor performance declined significantly. The main mechanism for COD removal was by sulphate-reducing bacteria, which also resulted in up to 88% sulphate removal from the leachate. The average methane generation rate was 0.10lg(-1) COD removed. The results indicate the potential for using this approach as a pre-treatment that could significantly reduce the COD load to a second stage treatment process, but problems associated with the implementation of the technology at a larger scale have been identified.

Anaerobiosis↗

Leachate recirculation effects on waste degradation: study on columns.

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of leachate recirculation on the degradation of municipal solid wastes (bioreactor concept). The study was carried out using columns containing approximately 50 kg of waste, in order to follow waste degradation over a limited time. Three types of waste were studied: fresh waste of standard composition, fresh waste of fermentable composition and some 8-yr-old waste extracted from a site in France. Measurement of the global parameters, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), volatile acidity, alkalinity, leachate conductivity, methane potential of the wastes and biogas production monitoring (volume of CO2 and CH4 produced), were carried out. The quantity of oxydizable matter and biogas production was increased by the leachate recirculation, and the duration of the first degradation phases was reduced in all cases. Chloride, ammonium and organic pollution accumulation was observed according to the duration of recirculation. After 400 days of degradation, waste stabilization seemed to be reached for all of the recirculated columns (COD<300 mg/L O2, and methane potential reached).

Bioreactors↗

Landfill leachate treatment using a rotating biological contactor and an upward-flow anaerobic sludge bed reactor.

This paper describes the feasibility of an aerobic system (rotating biological contactor, RBC) and a biological anaerobic system (upward-flow anaerobic sludge bed reactor) at small scale for the treatment of a landfill leachate. In the first phase of the aerobic system study, a cyclic-batch RBC system was used to select perforated acetate discs among three different acetate disc configurations. These discs were chosen on the basis of high COD removal (65%) and biological stability. In the second phase, the RBC system (using four stages) was operated continuously at different hydraulic retention times (HRT), at different rotational speeds, and with varying organic concentrations of the influent leachate (2500-9000mgL(-1)). Forty percent of the total surface area of each perforated disc was submerged in the leachate. A COD removal of about 52% was obtained at an HRT of 24h and a rotational speed of 6rpm. For the anaerobic system, the reactor was evaluated with a volumetric organic load of 3273g-COD m(-3) day(-1) at an HRT of 54, 44, 39, 24 and 17h. At these conditions, the system reached COD removal efficiencies of 62%, 61%, 59%, 44% and 24%, respectively.

Anaerobiosis↗

Mono- and diesters from o-phthalic acid in leachates from different European landfills.

Leachates from 17 different landfills in Europe were analysed with respect to phthalates, i.e. phthalic acid diesters (PAEs) and their degradation products phthalic acid monoesters (PMEs) and ortho-phthalic acid (PA). Diesters are ubiquitous and the human possible exposure and potential to human health and environment has put them in focus. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether monoesters and phthalic acid could be traced in landfill leachates and in what concentrations they may be found. The results showed that phthalates were present in the majority of the leachates investigated. The monoesters appeared from 1 to 20 microg/L and phthalic acid 2-880 microg/L (one divergent value of 19 mg phthalic acid/L). Their parental diesters were observed from 1 to 460 microg/L. These observed occurrences of degradation products, of all diesters studied, support that they are degraded under the landfill conditions covered by this study. Thus, we have presented strong evidences to conclude that microorganisms in landfills degrade diesters released from formulations in a variety of products, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) species.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Identification of some plasticizers compounds in landfill leachate.

In this work it was described a simple method for extraction of plasticizer compounds (mainly phthalate esters and bisphenol A (BPA)) from landfill leachate samples. The samples were submitted to an extraction procedures based on precipitation, solid phase extraction (SPE) and ionic exchange chromatography (IEC). Firstly the landfill leachate sample was acidified by addition of HCl concentrated, in order to precipitate the organic compounds that are less soluble in water. The precipitate was washed with several solvents. The aqueous phase was then submitted to SPE with XAD-4 resin and IEC with Amberlyst A-27 resin. The instrumental analysis was performed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometer detector (GC/MSD) and the compounds were identified by the GC/MSD library (Wiley) and by using some standard substances. These methodologies allow the isolation and identification of the following compounds: dioctylphthalate, diisobutilphthalate, BPA, benzoic acid, palmitic acid and diisopentylphthalate. The methods are very simple, rapid and selective, for plasticizers extraction from landfill leachate matrices.

Brazil↗

Photodegradation of roxarsone in poultry litter leachates.

Arsenic compounds have been used extensively in agriculture in the US for applications ranging from cotton herbicides to animal feed supplements. Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid), in particular, is used widely in poultry production to control coccidial intestinal parasites. It is excreted unchanged in the manure and introduced into the environment when litter is applied to farmland as fertilizer. Although the toxicity of roxarsone is less than that of inorganic arsenic, roxarsone can degrade, biotically and abiotically, to produce more toxic inorganic forms of arsenic, such as arsenite and arsenate. Experiments were conducted on aqueous litter leachates to test the stability of roxarsone under different conditions. Laboratory experiments have shown that arsenite can be cleaved photolytically from the roxarsone moiety at pH 4-8 and that the degradation rate increases with increasing pH. Furthermore, the rate of photodegradation increases with nitrate and natural organic matter concentration, reactants that are commonly found in poultry-litter-water leachates. Additional photochemical reactions rapidly oxidize the cleaved arsenite to arsenate. The formation of arsenate is not entirely undesirable, because it is less mobile in soil systems and less toxic than arsenite. A possible mechanism for the degradation of roxarsone in poultry litter leachates is proposed. The results suggest that poultry litter storage and field application practices could affect the degradation of roxarsone and subsequent mobilization of inorganic arsenic species.

Animals↗