The possible similarity between organic substances in leachates and forest waters

Abstract

It is nowadays recognised that natural organic substances have a large impact on processes indifferent environments, This recognition is developing also with respect to organic substancesin municipal landfill leachates, There is reason to look for chemical similarities and take overuseful analysis tools and concepts from forest research to speed up the build-up of knowledgeof such compounds in leachates, It has been observed at a large number of forest sites thatorganic substances in general tend to have similar properties, The key to possible similaritybetween leachates and forest waters seems to be the humic substance fraction, They areabundant already in today's methanogenic leachates, and their influence will increase in thecourse of time, Observed interactions confirm that increased understanding of the character ofhumic substances is important in studies of most other compounds in leachates.