Prediction of Mecoprop Transportion from Leachate and its Effect on Water Quality Across North West England

Abstract

This paper presents data from three years of monitoring of Mecoprop on Landfill sites and potential rivers and streams in North West England from the clean headwaters to polluted rivers just above the tidal reach and covers six landfill sites including their potential receptors where the runoff drains. Across the basins that include areas of rural, urban and industrial typologies, data is presented for one of the priority substances in the Water Framework Directive i.e. Mecoprop. Average concentrations are low and well below the drinking water Quality Standards values for Mecoprop with occasional concentration above the DWS in groundwater and surface water, ranging between 0.005 µgl -1 to 7.96 µgl -1 . Mecoprop appears in concentrations in the leachate quality for landfill sites studied, values ranging between 0.06 µgl -1 to 3560- µgl -1 in cells. High concentration of Mecoprop in the leachate quality suggests that there is a possible source term from the waste deposited on sites. Migration of Mecoprop is simulated using Landsim (Landfill Performance Simulation) modelling programme to predict Mecoprop concentration in groundwater and potential aquifer. Mecoprop were found to exceed the European Union and US-EPA drinking water standards at the unsaturated zone /aquifer. The findings demonstrate the pollution potential arising from Mecoprop presented in leachate quality from Landfill site, a non- agricultural source point.