Characterization of high molecular weightorganic compounds in landfill leachate:humic substances

Abstract

We present here some results obtained on the high molecular weight organic fractions dissolved in landfill leachates. These fractions are similar to humic and fulvic acids obtained from soil and marine matrices for some characteristics such as colour, molecular weight range, solubility and for structural features. The characterization of humic substances has been carried out with spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric analysis. They have shown the presence of a great amount of functional groups, in particular oxygenated and nitrogenous groups. Elemental analysis has been performed also.