Inactive Landfill Research Articles

Microplastic pollution from active and inactive landfill in Indonesia: Case study in Leuwigajah and Sarimukti Landfill

A landfill is the most common waste disposal in Indonesia, yet the implementation and operation of landfills are still far from optimal due to lack of funding and management failure. Moreover, landfill was operated as unmanaged open dumps. This situation could enhance the likelihood of plastics pollution through various transport of plastic waste from landfill sites, including microplastics release from leachate. This study was focused on the evidence of microplastic pollution originating from the landfill. Leachate sampling was conducted at two landfills, an inactive landfill called Leuwigajah Landfill, and an active landfill called Sarimukti Landfill. The characteristics of microplastics were analyzed through visual examination, particle density examination, and polymer investigation utilizing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). All three samples of active and inactive landfill leachate contains microplastic particles. The concentration ranges from 12.00 ± 5.29 to 56.33 ± 3.06 particles/liter. The most dominant polymers of plastic are Polypropylene (PP) and Polyester. Fiber shape is the highest percentage of founded microplastics. The results show the critical information of landfill likelihood as a source of microplastics.

Ammoniacal Nitrogen Contaminant in Water of Kaliori Landfill Area in Banyumas

Kaliori Landfill is one of the inactive landfills in Banyumas Regency. The presence of garbage and a full leachate pond in the area is feared to pollute the waters around the landfill. One of the water quality parameters is ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) based on Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 82 in 2001. The aim of this research was to find the quality of water in landfill area based on ammoniacal nitrogen parameter. The water studied was one sample of leachate, two samples of river water and five samples of ground water in the landfill area with a radius less than 1 kilometers. Spectrophotometry method was used to find NH3-N concentration. Based on the test results, leachate and ground water have reach ammoniacal nitrogen quality standard, there were <2.0 mg/L and <0.5 mg/L respectively. Meanwhile, the ammoniacal nitrogen in river water was >2.5 mg/L, they have exceeded the established quality standards.

Development and application of high resolution mass spectrometry analytical method to study and identify the photoinduced transformation products of environmental pollutants

Terpenes are among the major causes of pleasant or unpleasant odors close to active or inactive landfills. We studied R-limonene and p-cymene environmental degradation products using the heterogeneous photocatalysis mediated by titanium dioxide to explore the odor pollution. The aim of the study was the development of mass spectrometry based methods both hyphenated with GC and HPLC to identify and characterize transformation products (TPs) derived from photodegradation of R-limonene and p-cymene. With the GC-MS method we identified three TPs for R-limonene and two for p-cymene comparing the obtained mass spectra with those in the NIST library. While with HPLC-MS method, thanks to the use of the high resolution of MS tool, we recognized four and five TPs for R-limonene and p-cymene respectively. No p-cymene was detected as R-limonene transformation product. The methods developed were then applied to real environmental samples coming from landfills active (Lan1) or inactive (Lan2 and Lan3) located in northern Italy. R-limonene was detected in the active landfill (Lan1 at the concentration of 2.35 μg/mL) together with one of its TPs and one TP derived from p-cymene. p-Cymene was detected in the other two inactive landfills (Lan2 and Lan3 concentrations 0.025 and 0.15 μg/mL, respectively) together with one of its TP and two TPs coming from R-limonene photodegradation. The finding of TPs together with R-limonene and p-cymene both in active and inactive landfills point out the attention on the reduction of these molecules in the environment to reduce pollution and human risks.

Identification of point source dischargers of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the United States

AbstractDrinking water contamination with per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a health risk for communities across the country. The vast majority of the water systems across the United States lack both the technology and the funds to filter out PFAS. Release of PFAS with industrial wastewater from a variety of facilities is a significant contributor to PFAS contamination of drinking water. Here, we provide a screening‐level analysis of the potential for environmental PFAS releases from contaminated sites, active industrial sites, wastewater treatment plants, and waste disposal sites (including active and inactive landfills) nationwide. With specific case studies from the US states of Michigan and California, we examine how testing has identified a large number of diverse PFAS sources. Testing results alongside the list of potential sources can be used to inform state‐ or local‐level investigations as well as aid in the development of effluent guidelines and industrial pretreatment programs.Article Impact StatementThe identification of point sources and establishing per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) effluent guidelines can help mitigate the PFAS contamination of drinking water.

Comparison of Landfill Leachate Properties by LPI and Phytotoxicity-A Case Study

The formation of leachate is one of the inevitable consequences associated with the operation of landfills. In addition to the study of physicochemical composition, toxicity is an important parameter taken into account, among others because of the need to subject leachate to treatment before discharge into the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of leachate contamination using LPI and toxicity index. An analysis of the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the calculated LPI values was also carried out to assess whether they could provide a measure of leachate toxicity when selecting a treatment method. The research conducted was to determine the degree of leachate contamination using LPI and toxicity index. An analysis of the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the calculated LPI values was also carried out to assess whether they could provide a measure of leachate toxicity when selecting a treatment method. Calculated values of the leachate pollution index showed that leachates from selected Polish landfills are characterized by low and medium levels of LPI values. The variation in index values obtained was particularly evident between active and closed landfills and was related to the physicochemical composition of leachates. In closed landfills this value ranged from 7.4 to 11.1, while in active landfills from 12.9 to 15.9. The variation in index values obtained was particularly evident between active and inactive landfills and was related to the physicochemical composition of leachates. Phytotoxicity tests showed that leachate at low concentrations can promote plant growth. At higher concentrations (50 and 100%), leachates caused inhibition of root and shoot growth, which correlated with high LPI values. The results confirmed the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the LPI values, so it can be considered as a reliable indicator of leachate toxicity.

Investigation of the Spatial Distribution of Methane Sources in the Greater Toronto Area Using Mobile Gas Monitoring Systems.

For methane emission reduction strategies in urban areas to be effective, large emitters must be identified. Recent studies in U.S. cities have highlighted the contribution of methane emissions from natural gas distribution networks and end use. We present a methane emission source identification and quantification method for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the largest metropolitan area in Canada, using mobile gas monitoring systems. From May 2018 to August 2019, we collected 77 surveys of methane mixing ratios, covering a distance of about 6400 km, and sampled emission plumes from sources such as closed landfills, natural gas compressor stations, and waterways. Our results indicate that inactive landfills emit less than inventory estimates. Despite this discrepancy, we confirm that the waste sector is the largest methane emitter in the GTA. We also report that the frequency of methane leaks from the local distribution system ranges between 4 and 22 leaks per 100 km of roadway in downtown Toronto, which is comparable to the range observed in U.S. cities, which have invested in modern natural gas distribution infrastructure. Last, we find that engineered waterways, whose emissions are currently not reported in inventories, may be a significant source of methane.

Identification of Threats to the Soil and Water Environment on the Example of an Inactive Landfill Site

Identification of Threats to the Soil and Water Environment on the Example of an Inactive Landfill Site

Impact assessment of mine drainage water and municipal wastewater on the surface water in the vicinity of Bor

Mining and copper production in Bor, in the past hundred years, had a huge impact on the environment of town, but also in a wide region. In the area of Bor, in the zone of Mining and Smelting Company (RTB) activity, over 29,000 ha of land under forests and fields is degraded. The area of degraded agricultural land in the Bor municipality is over 60% of total agricultural land. Wastewater, generated in the sites of RTB Bor, pollute the Bor River and Krivelj River, which still flow into the Timok River and Danube River. These pollutions are often presented by low pH value, increased content of heavy metal ions, suspended particles and fine particles of flotation tailings, which is deposited in the valleys of these rivers on the area of over 2000 hectares. During the decades of exploitation of ore from the open pit Bor at different locations ("Visoki Planir" - also called ?Ostreljski planir?, "Severni planir" dump of ore body "H" (RTH)) gangue and tailings were delayed. The largest amount of tailings, about 150 million tons, was postponed on location Visoki planir. The effect of the mining waste and the impact of the whole process of processing copper ore to the final products on the environment, was conducted during the 4th study period of the project "Management of mining waste-tailing dump in the Bor region," supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion Science (Eng. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) and the Japan international cooperation Agency and the Ministry of environment, Mining and Spatial planning of the Republic of Serbia. Influence of season on the level of pollutants in soil and water, the impact on water quality in the river Timok and the River Danube, was conducted during first three periods of project. This paper presents the results of the third study period. The third period of research, which was conducted over a period of 17. 10. 2012 to 17. 01.2013 year, included a review of pollution sources and define their impact on the environment. The study included the following sources of pollution: mining waste and drainage water originating from the active mine (Bor pit , field 1 Krivelj large tailings, flotation tailings in Bor RTH, metallurgical water), as well as the drainage water from the flotation tailings, which are no longer in operation (field 2 flotation tailings Great Krivelj, drainage water from the old Bor flotation tailings), the old inactive landfill mine gangue (Saraka landfill, Veliki planir - tailings from the old Bor mine, landfill mine gangue from mine RTH) and the city - urban waste water, which are discharged without treatment directly into the watercourse Bor River. Wastewater directly pollute Bor River and Krivalj River.

Sorption and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, bisphenol A and phthalates in landfill leachate using sand, activated carbon and peat filters

Landfill leachates are repeatedly found contaminated with organic pollutants, such as alkylphenols (APs), phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at levels exceeding water quality standards. It has been shown that these pollutants may be present in the colloidal and truly dissolved phase in contaminated water, making particle separation an inefficient removal method. The aim of this study was to investigate sorption and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), selected APs, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and PAHs from landfill leachate using sand, granulated activated carbon (GAC) and peat moss filters. A pilot plant was installed at an inactive landfill with mixed industrial and household waste and samples were collected before and after each filter during two years.Leachate pre-treated in oil separator and sedimentation pond failed to meet water quality standards in most samples and little improvement was seen after the sand filter. These techniques are based on particle removal, whereas the analysed pollutants are found, to varying degrees, bound to colloids or dissolved. However, even highly hydrophobic compounds expected to be particle-bound, such as the PHCs and high-molecular weight PAHs, were poorly removed in the sand filter. The APs and BPA were completely removed by the GAC filter, while mass balance calculations indicate that 50–80% of the investigated phenols were removed in the peat filter. Results suggest possible AP degradation in peat filters. No evidence of phthalate degradation in the landfill, pond or the filters was found. The PHCs were completely removed in 50% and 35% of the measured occasions in the GAC and peat filters, respectively. The opposite trend was seen for removal of PAHs in GAC (50%) and peat (63%). Oxygenated PAHs with high toxicity were found in the leachates but not in the pond sediment. These compounds are likely formed in the pond water, which is alarming because sedimentation ponds are commonly used treatment techniques. The oxy-PAHs were effectively removed in the GAC, and especially the peat filter. It was hypothesized that dissolved compounds would adsorb equally well to the peat and GAC filters. This was not completely supported as the GAC filter was in general more efficient than peat.

Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

In order to investigate landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and synthetic musk fragrances to the atmosphere, air samples were simultaneously taken at two landfills (one active and one closed) and two reference sites using high volume air samplers. Contaminants were accumulated on glass fiber filters (particle phase) and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges (gas phase), extracted by methyl-tert butyl ether/acetone (neutral PFCs), methanol (ionic PFCs) or hexane/acetone (PBDEs, musk fragrances), and detected by GC–MS (neutral PFCs, PBDEs, musk fragrances) or HPLC–MS/MS (ionic PFCs). Total concentrations ranged from 84 to 706 pg m −3 (volatile PFCs, gas phase), from <MQL to 42 pg m −3 (ionic PFCs, particle phase), from 204 to 1963 pg m −3 (synthetic musk fragrances, gas + particle phase) and from 1 to 11 pg m −3 (PBDEs, gas + particle phase). Observed sum concentrations of PFCs and synthetic musk fragrances and partly PBDE concentrations were elevated at landfill sites compared to corresponding reference sites. Concentrations determined at the active landfill were higher than those of the inactive landfill. Overall, landfills can be regarded as a source of synthetic musk fragrances, several PFCs and potentially of PBDEs to ambient air. ► Landfills are sources of synthetic musk fragrances to ambient air. ► Landfills are minor sources of PFCs to ambient air (compared to musk fragrances). ► Landfills might be sources of PBDEs to ambient air. ► Active landfills are more significant sources of these contaminants than closed landfills.

Measurement of Soil Gas and Atmospheric Methane Content on One Active and Two Inactive Landfills in Wood County, Ohio

Measurement of Soil Gas and Atmospheric Methane Content on One Active and Two Inactive Landfills in Wood County, Ohio

Measurements of Soil Gas and Atmospheric Methane Content on One Active and Two Inactive Landfills in Wood County, Ohio

Methane concentrations (by volume) in soil gas and in the atmosphere were measured over several days in February and March of 1996, at several on-site stations on three solid waste landfills in Wood County, Ohio. The lower detection limit for methane in soil gas was 0.2 percent (2,000 ppm) and in the atmosphere was 0.1 percent (1,000 ppm). The oldest site, Asman9s Landfill (1962–1973), contained no atmospheric methane at or above the detection limit and had the second highest methane content in soil gas of the three landfills. Wales Road Landfill (1950s–1994) had the highest soil gas methane concentration, as high as 96 percent (960,000 ppm) methane, and had some detectible atmospheric methane (as much as 4,000 ppm) on two occasions over one station. Wood County Landfill (1972-present) had the lowest average soil gas methane content of the three landfills, but the highest atmospheric methane (as much as 8,000 ppm), although all of the methane concentrations at or above the detection limit were measured near four passive vents in the landfill, where soil gas methane content was below the detection limit. Methane concentration in soil gas increased with increasing barometric pressure, but the relationship between atmospheric methane concentration and barometric pressure appears to be more complex, from a few data points for atmospheric methane concentration above the Wood County and Wales Road Landfills. The Wood County Landfill would make an excellent test site for a methane imaging experiment that employs airborne multispectral remote sensing.

Municipal Landfilling Practice And Its Impact On Groundwater Resources In And Around Urban Toronto, Canada

The hazardous contents of municipal landfills are rarely documented and problems are usually not recognised until landfill leachate pollutes a well or surface-water body. By this time, the groundwater is often extensively contaminated with little opportunity for redress. Recent studies in southern Ontario have adopted a pro-active stance to this issue. The location, size, design and geologic setting of almost 1,200 active and inactive landfills have been documented; in addition, a contaminant-source audit has been performed for a representative region of urban Toronto, where 82 landfills sites are contained in an area of 700 km2. Groundwater flow modeling reveals that at half the sites groundwater travel time to major urban streams and Lake Ontario is less than 10 years, suggesting that chemically conservative chemicals released at these sites would have a rapid impact on surface-water quality. The sites are as large as 99 ha, and waste thickness normally ranges from 3–30 m. In the audited area, the sites contain an estimated 4.6×107 tons of material, consisting primarily of domestic waste, incinerator ashes, and construction and commercial debris; some sites are believed, however, to have received liquid waste from industrial sources. The chemical audit indicates that more than 1.3 million tons, or approximately 2.9 percent of the landfill waste, will enter the landfill leachate. About 99 percent of the leachable mass is composed of calcium, magnesium, sodium, nitrogen (as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite), chloride, sulphate, and bicarbonate. However, the real potential damage must be measured by the degree of environmental degradation that would ensue if the leachate is released to the subsurface. Ignoring the possible effects of chemical biodegradation and volatilization within the aquifer, calculations indicate that 17 of the 39 leachate components investigated are individually capable of contaminating at least 2×1012 liters of water in excess of Provincial water-quality standards, a volume that approximately represents the quantity of groundwater that passes through the study area during a 20-year period. Given that only two of the 82 landfills operate a leachate collection system, 60–70 percent of the potential impacts are likely to be realized. Particularly threatened is the lower Don Valley, where about 20 landfills are concentrated in an area of just 60 km2.

Assessment of the feasibility of utilizing Landsat for detection and monitoring of landfills in a statewide GIS

Use of satellite data could be beneficial and cost effective in detecting and monitoring landfills in a state-wide geographic information system (GIS). To assure the feasibility of this approach, multitemporal Landsat data were used to detect several selected active and inactive landfills in central and southwest Missouri. The landfills were visually delineated from aerial photography of approximately the same two dates. A classification procedure based on homogeneity of the digital numbers was performed on each landfill scene for each time period using four spectral bands: two visible, one near-infrared, and one mid-infrared. The mid-infrared band proved more useful in delineating landfills, especially when spectral change was compared to the near-infrared band. The active landfills were spectrally different from surrounding land cover as were the two landfills which closed after the collection of the first Landsat scene. These landfills showed considerable areal change between the two selected time periods as verified by the aerial photographs. The inactive landfills were more difficult to discern from surrounding land cover types because they were grass covered and spectrally similar to pasture. Consequently, areal change could not be assigned to these older landfills because the reclamation process was practically complete.

Forest Restoration on a Closed Landfill: Rapid Addition of New Species by Bird Dispersal

Urban areas often contain sizeable pockets of degraded land, such as inactive landfills, that could be reclaimed as wildlife habitat and as connecting links to enhance remnant natural areas. In the northeastern U.S., many such lands fail to undergo natural succession to woodland, instead retaining a weedy, herbaceous cover for many years. We hypothesize that seed dispersal is a limiting factor, and that a form of secondary succession could be stimulated by introducing clusters of trees and shrubs to attract avian seed dispersers. As a direct test, we censused a 1.5‐ha experimental plantation on the Fresh Kills Landfill (Staten Island, New York) one year after installation, in search of evidence that the plantation was spreading or increasing in diversity. The 17 planted species, many from coastal scrub forests native to this region, were surviving well but contributed almost no seedlings to the area, in part because only 20% of the installed trees or shrubs were reproductive. Of the 1079 woody seedlings found, 95% came from sources outside the plantation; most (71%) were from fleshy‐fruited, bird‐dispersed plants from nearby woodland fringes. Although the restoration planting itself had not begun to produce seedlings, it did function as a site for attracting dispersers, who enriched the young community with 20 new species. One‐fourth of all new recruits were from nine additional wind‐dispersed species. Locations with a high ratio of trees to shrubs had proportionately more recruits, indicating that plant size contributed to disperser attraction. The density of new recruits of each species was dependent on distance from the nearest potential seed source. Introducing native species with the capacity to attract avian dispersers may be the key to success of many restoration programs.

Impact Attenuation in Nonconflict Situations: The Price Effects of a Nuisance Land-Use

In this paper the effect an inactive landfill site had on the sales price of surrounding houses is described. The spatial extent of the damage done by a nuisance site that was present at the time the houses were built is considered. Evidence is provided of the limited extent of the damage created by a nuisance land-use that did not generate negative publicity and conflict. Indirectly, the findings show that impacts that do not evoke rancor or present possible hazards are limited to a relatively small and easily definable zone. It should not, therefore, be difficult to implement compensation plans for the impacts of nuisance producing land-use sites. The implementation of such plans should help to ensure that land-use conflicts do not spread the cost of the nuisance beyond the area they affect directly.

A Syringe and Cartridge Method for Down‐Hole Sampling for Trace Organics in Ground Water

ABSTRACTA newly developed technique which allows the down‐hole sampling and subsequent analysis of ground water for trace organic contaminants was tested during an investigation of contaminant migration at an inactive landfill site in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The sampling device, which is lowered down piezometers with a tube, consists of a small cylindrical cartridge of sorbent material attached to a syringe. Vacuum or pressure applied at the surface controls the movement of the plunger in the syringe. The volume of the syringe determines the volume of sample water that passes through the cartridge. The cartridge is removed from the syringe at the surface. One cartridge is used for each sampling; the syringe is reusable. The residual water in the cartridge is removed in the laboratory, and the cartridge is desorbed to a fused silica capillary column for analysis by gas chromatography (GC). The analyses discussed here were performed on a GC/mass spectrometer/data system (GC/MS/DS). Of the many organic compounds that were identified in the samples, three compounds were clearly landfill‐related: 1,1,1‐trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, and para‐dichlorobenzene. The three compounds were found at levels substantially above blank levels in 9, 5, and 5 piezometers, respectively. The average concentrations were 14., 5.3, and 0.88μg/1 (ppb), respectively. The pooled coefficients of variation for the analyses for the three compounds were 27., 6.9, and 6.4%, respectively. The volatility of 1,1,1‐trichloroethane was probably the cause of the greater variability in its analytical data. The main advantages of the technique over most conventional sampling methods include: (1) down‐hole sampling in a manner which minimizes the potential for volatilization losses; (2) avoidance of passage of the sample through long sections of tubing that may contaminate the sample or cause adsorptive losses; (3) convenience of sample handling, storage, and shipping; and (4) high sensitivity.