Nordic recommendation for leaching tests for granular waste materials

Abstract

A leaching test procedure for granular waste materials has been developed by a Nordic expert group. The Dutch leaching test procedure, especially the column test, was chosen as a starting point, as it best fullfilled the requirements for a leaching test. Furthermore, critical test parameters in the performance of the leaching tests are discussed. The following test procedure is recommended as a Nordic leaching test procedure for granular waste materials, especially ashes and slags from energy production: (1) a column test to L S 1–2, which gives information on the composition and variations in first leachates that appears in a landfill; (2) a batch leaching test with two or possibly three leaching steps ( L S 2, L S 10 cumulative and possible L S 50 cumulative), which gives a rough estimate of the leached amounts and the leaching behaviour on a landfill, and also an estimate of the long-term leaching. This test is also recommended for routine testing and for small waste amounts; (3) especially for screening: an availability test ( L S 200) which gives information on the totally leachable amounts in extreme test conditions.