Removal of Pollutants from Landfill Leachate Using Physicochemical Technique

Abstract

Sanitary landfill leachate had been described as the most polluted wastewater. The available technologies to treat leachate landfills are physical/chemical and biological treatment. However, literature shows that filtration technique is preferable, as the selective materials are easily obtained and required minimum cost. The aim of this study is to treat pollutants (BOD, COD, ammoniacal nitrogen, zinc, and copper) in leachate using peat moss as sole adsorbent and co-adsorbent with bentonite. The research was conducted by measuring initial and final concentration of pollutants in leachate. Based on the results, the percentage removal of the BOD, COD, ammoniacal nitrogen, zinc, and copper using peat as single adsorbent 26.2%, 91.97%, 83.4%, 96%, and 90%. While using mixed adsorbents are 31.3%, 94.6%, 89.1%, 90.6%, and 90%. The total volume of leachate was 1200 mL able to pass through sole adsorbent of peat moss within 14 h. In conclusion, leachate can be treated efficiently using peat moss with the addition of bentonite.