Treatment of phenolic wastewaters by co-disposal with refuse

Abstract

Single-stage laboratory landfill models were used to develop a perfusion strategy for the co-disposal of phenolic wastewaters. Single-elution, at a dilution rate of 0.03 h −1, of the selected representative molecule phenol (188 mg l −1) through “fresh” (1 month) and “methanogenically-active” (4 months) refuse resulted in 32 and 48% catabolism, respectively. Total dissimilation was only recorded when leachate was recycled. Phenol-induced microbial inhibition was apparent in the presence of low leachate pH values and/or buffer capacities. Influent pH adjustment and control may thus be necessary. Elevated methane release rates coincident with phenol dissimilation emphasized that landfill co-disposal and methane optimization need not be mutally exclusive technologies.