Landfill Body Research Articles

Assessment of the water and mass balance in the landfill body by modelling using the example of the Dubna city landfill

To predict the migration of pollutants in groundwater from the landfill site, it is necessary to know the infiltration rate and the concentration of pollutants in the moisture entering the groundwater level below the landfill. It is shown that the HELP program for calculating moisture transport in the unsaturated zone can be used to estimate the infiltration rate by the example of the municipal solid waste in Dubna, To estimate chloride ion concentration in the leachate entering the groundwater level, the VS2DT program for calculating the transport of pollutants with moisture in the unsaturated zone can be used. It is shown how uncertainty and insufficiency of information about the landfill site affects the estimation of these parameters, in what cases it is possible to use information about a similar dump, how test calculations help to verify hypotheses of formation of groundwater pollution under the landfill. The ranges of infiltration rate and chloride ion concentrations in moisture entering the groundwater level under the landfill body obtained as a result of calculations of the water and mass balance of the landfill in Dubna were further used to calculate the chloride ion transport in groundwater.

Landfill reclamation using the example of the municipal waste disposal plant in Puławy – a case study

Landfilling remains a dominant method of waste disposal worldwide, largely due to inadequate waste management frameworks, despite efforts to promote recycling and reuse. As populations and consumption levels grow, waste generation continues to increase, highlighting the need for effective waste management solutions. Landfills are sites where waste undergoes various physical, chemical and biological transformations, making the implementation of safety measures, leachate collection and gas recovery systems critical. This article presents a case study of the reclamation of the Puławy municipal landfill, which has been in operation since 1998. The reclamation process involved extensive steps such as forming the landfill body, securing the slopes, constructing a degassing layer, implementing a sealing layer and applying a cover layer. These measures were crucial in mitigating the negative environmental impact of the landfill, reducing harmful emissions and improving local groundwater quality. The results of the Puławy municipal landfill reclamation include reductions in leachate and gas emissions, improvements in air/groundwater quality and the transformation of the site into a green space that provides recreational opportunities for the community. This reclamation project serves as a model of responsible waste management and community involvement, demonstrating how degraded landfills can be transformed into valuable public resources. The article also discusses the broader implications of landfill reclamation, noting both the positive and negative aspects. Benefits include environmental protection, resource recovery, enhanced biodiversity and improved quality of life for local communities. However, challenges such as the long-term monitoring and maintenance of reclaimed sites and the financial costs associated with reclamation efforts are also considered. This study also underscores the importance of landfill reclamation in the process of shaping and promoting environmental sustainability, as well as addressing modern waste management challenges.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ СОСТАВА БИОГАЗА НА ПОЛИГОНЕ ТКО «СТРЕЛЕЦКОЕ»

The purpose of the work is to summarize data on the analysis of the composition of biogas produced at the Streletskoye MSW landfill (Belgorod region) from 2017 to the present in order to assess its average composition and its changes. The composition and yield of biogas was studied in an experimental line of three wells and in four gas collection systems with a total area of 1.75 hectares, built at the site in 2017–2020. According to the results of aeration, the methane content without taking into account leaks ranges from 35 to 70% and is constant for each gas collection field. The practice of operating gas collection systems shows the great importance of sealing the body of landfills to prevent atmospheric air suction. Monitoring of the natural release of landfill gas from the landfill body in 471 wells showed an uneven nature of gas formation at different points, so the installation of individual observation and working gas wells may not allow determining the average indicators for the landfill. Studies of the composition and yield of biogas over a long period of time have shown the stability of the indicators and their dependence only on the technical characteristics of the landfill site. Seasonality has little effect on methane output, so surveys for climatic conditions similar to the Belgorod region can be carried out at any time of the year. The conducted studies showed that GOST 59417-2021 does not allow for an effective determination of biogas potential. To solve this problem, an express survey method is proposed with the installation of temporary wells and determination of biogas parameters using portable equipment.

A 35-year monitoring of an Italian landfill: Effect of recirculation of reverse osmosis concentrate on leachate characteristics

“Fossetto” landfill (Monsummano Terme - Tuscany, Italy) started operation in 1988 as a controlled landfill accepting mixed municipal solid waste collected without any attempt of recycling. Then, progressively, following the evolution of the state-of-the-art, it adopted biogas extraction and valorisation systems and mechanical-biological treatment for incoming waste (both since 2003). Finally, since 2006, in the plant is performed on-site reverse osmosis leachate treatment with the concentrated leachate being recirculated back into the landfill body. Recently a new landfill cell, separate from the others, was put in operation adding a capacity of 200,000 m3 to the already available 1,095,000 m3. This plant can provide long term leachate composition data to study the evolution and impact of changing landfill technology and waste composition on various parameters. The rise in leachate production (+84 % in 2018–2022 respect to the period before recirculation) cannot be totally attributable to recirculation but could be also linked to the increase in the amount of landfilled waste. The concentration of certain parameters (NH4+, Cl− and to a less extent of COD) increased (+60 %, +58 %, +17 % respectively in the last five years with respect to the period before recirculation); however, this increase did not influence the performance of the treatment plant. Nevertheless, the overall leachate management would benefit from an optimized reinjection system.

Application of agrotechnical techniques in the reclamation of a solid waste landfill

The work examined the existing solid waste landfill in the city of Uralsk with a total area of 36 hectares. In 2020-2022, a project for a new landfill was developed. Thus, our research proposed alternative solutions for the use of reclamation of the old solid waste landfill using technologies for cultivating perennial grasses. In the experiments, 100% (option 1) and 50% of the landfill body + 50% soil (option 2) were selected. The results of the experiment showed that in option 2, from the landfill body and soil (1:1), seed germination was higher than on samples from 100% of the landfill body. Among the components of perennial herbs, it is recommended to use a grass mixture (wheatgrass, hair grass and sainfoin).

Decarbonization of an economy: creating economic prerequisites through the development of the waste recycling accounting at landfills

Reforming the methodology of waste accounting to decarbonize the environment is an ecological innovation in information support. Reformation allows organizations to understand their environmental responsibility, economic benefits from involving waste in re-production. The purpose of this study is a theoretical justification and development of accounting methodology for municipal waste operating in unequipped landfills. To get the purpose, the article presents the economic essence of “organic municipal waste”. The natural transformation of organic municipal waste into a biogas in the landfill body requires the allocation of two new accounting objects: “biomass of municipal waste” and “biogas reserves”. The article suggests an interconnected methodology for accounting for “biomass of municipal waste” as a secondary resource, and “biogas reserves” as renewable natural capital reflecting the economic potential of the landfill. The presented methodology will provide users with information about: the contribution of organic waste to reproduction; the energy value of the landfill and its economic potential; consumption of renewable natural capital; reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The developed recommendations regarding the accounting of municipal waste in organizations operating unequipped landfills increase the information content, which is important for making management decisions, attracting investments, aimed at the disposal of carbon gases.

Geochemical and Isotopic Evidence for Investigating the Impacts of Landfills on Groundwater: A Case Study in the Campania Region (Southern Italy)

In this study, we present the hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and isotopic characterisation and monitoring activity of a closed landfill located in the northern sector of the Phlegrean Fields groundwater body in the Campania Region (Southern Italy). The aim of the study is to distinguish between natural enrichments (e.g., geogenic sources) and anthropogenic pressures (e.g., leakages from the landfill body) causing anomalously high concentrations of some metals (As, F, Fe, Mn) in groundwater. Major anions, cations, metals, water-stable isotopes, carbon isotopes and tritium were analysed. The results show that high As, F and Fe concentrations are due to adsorption–desorption processes occurring in the aquifer hosted in the volcanic rocks/deposits or the occurrence of upwelling hydrothermal fluids related to the volcanic activity of the Phlegrean Fields, which may cause metal mobilisation. High localised Mn concentrations cannot be solely related to natural processes or to groundwater contamination due to leachate leakage from the landfill body. Instead, we hypothesise a leakage from the landfill gas system. The outcomes of this study show the advantages of the coupled use of physico-chemical and isotopic analyses in improving the comprehension of geochemical processes in areas characterised by the presence of municipal landfills.

JEDAN PRIMER UPOTREBE AKTIVNOG GEOKOMPOZITA ZA SANACIJU DEPONIJE

The ''Chalk landfill Bruck I/II'', a former industrial landfill is located in Austria. The landfill was filled from 1926-1981 with calcium carbide, CHC and mercury contaminated wastes. The total amount of HCH is estimated to 100-1000 t. Since 1995 different remedial actions took place as well as continuous securing measures. In 2000 the site was put on the list of contaminated sites that need remediation and got codename K20. Additional tests in 2003 gave the site highest priority level one. In 2009 decision is made to remove all stored material and treat or safely store in state-of-the-art landfill. After observation of Hexachlorobenzene in food in the area around the thermal treatment plant works were stopped. The new course of action was to secure the waste on site. The new physical safeguard measures included an innovative, multifunctional surface sealing system consisting of calcium bentonite geosynthetic clay liner, an activated carbon mat, a LDPE membrane with integrated aluminium sheet and a drainage element. This system creates a strong barrier for volatile CHC. There are soil vapor extraction pipes below and above the sealing system to ensure a monitoring. Minimal interference with existing landfill body was requirement. To enable long term stability of the whole sealing system geogrids are used. The construction work was executed in 2016.

Lightweight blocks made of coarse AAC‐granules ‐ Recycled again!

AbstractThe MPA Bremen has been dealing with the development of recycling methods for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) rubble for many years. The aim is to enable the highest possible reuse of AAC as a secondary raw material.In addition to a functional coating for the reduction of methane emissions from landfill bodies, the results so far have been dry premixed mortars for masonry, masonry blocks and lightweight blocks, which contain only AAC rubble of all fractions occurring during processing instead of natural aggregates.The aim in the development of these recycling methods was always the technical/physical use of the existing characteristic AAC‐structure with continuing to use the gray energies associated with the granules.The technique of the “Lightweight Blocks made of coarse AAC‐Granules” enables the production of recycling products that are particularly similar to the primary building material AAC. The principle of the “Lightweight Blocks” is based on the fact that coarse AAC granules are filled into a formwork with the desired component geometry and the remaining pore space is filled with an artificially porous matrix using an injection process.This approach was optimized and extended in a recently completed research project: The particle size range was expanded, the share of AAC Granules was increased and the required use of binder was reduced. In addition, the working hypothesis not only allows the use of granules from the primary building material AAC, but also granules from the recycling product “Lightweight Blocks”. This new approach has been successfully tested for different binder systems. Autoclaved Aerated concrete becomes consequently a real circular building material for two recycling cycles.

Plastic waste: assessment of the prosesses of its formation and management in the North-Western Black Sea Coast Regions

Plastic waste represents a specific component within the municipal solid waste structure because of the peculiarities of its formation, possibility of reuse and ecological consequences of environmental pollution. In particular, growing consumption of plastic is accompanied by a constant level of recycling (4-8%). This leads to accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. The article presents data on the content of plastic waste in the municipal solid waste of Ukrainian cities. According to the data the content of plastic waste within the municipal solid waste amounts to 10-12%. Plastic waste is mainly represented by polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate (more than 60%). It was discovered that plastic recycling companies import almost a third of recycled materials from Europe, while almost 84% of plastic is still ends brought to landfills. The analysis of the situation with separate collection of the municipal solid waste in the North-Western Black Sea Coast Region (namely Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson Regions) indicates a low level of secondary raw materials extraction. It is also exacerbated by the fact that only 75% of the population receives services for centralized collection of the municipal solid waste. It is estimated that almost 160,000 tons of plastic waste were brought to the landfills of Odesa Region in 2019. This volume is equal to the workload of existing plastic processing enterprises of Ukraine. So, as exemplified by Odesa Region, the research aimed at assessing the resource potential of plastic waste by main categories and in terms of clustering of the region, in accordance with the Regional Waste Management Plan project. It also describes the environmental consequences of leaving waste plastic materials in the environment – contamination with microplastics and formation of persistent organic pollutants. Moreover, it indicates that the municipal plastic waste is a significant source for such substances formation during thermal and mechanical destruction processes taking place within a landfill's body or marine environment. The research analyzes the main reasons for a low level of plastic waste use in the region. One of them is a lack of conditions allowing the citizens to collect plastic waste separately from the rest of their waste.

Microplastics in Landfill Bodies: Abundance, Spatial Distribution and Effect of Landfill Age

Almost a quarter of the plastic produced in Europe still ends up in landfills. In addition to the loss of valuable resources, this leads to the generation and accumulation of microplastics in landfills. The microplastics abundance in the refuse and their spatial distribution in the landfill body have not been practically studied. In the current work, changes in the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in landfill refuse from 3 age sections of the Lapės regional landfill, Lithuania, to a depth of 10–20 m were studied. A microplastics abundance of up to 55 particles/g or 52.8 g/kg was found. The lowest microplastics abundance was found in the old section, while the highest in the young (numerical) and the middle-aged (mass) sections. Moreover, microplastics abundance increased with the age of landfilled waste and depth, which may reflect the fragmentation of microplastics and their transport. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymer types in all sections, while films were the dominant shape. The carbonyl index of PE microplastics was calculated to monitor microplastics oxidation. The analysis showed an increase of carbonyl index with landfill depth and landfill age, proving the intensive degradation of microplastics. Thus, landfills are large reservoirs of microplastics and their potential sources.

Surface Monitoring of an MSW Landfill Based on Linear and Angular Measurements, TLS, and LIDAR UAV.

Surface monitoring of landfills is crucial not only during their operation but also for later land restoration and development. Measurements concern environmental factors, such as leachate, migration of pollutants to water, biogas, and atmospheric emissions, and geotechnical factors, such as stability and subsidence. Landfill subsidence can be measured using modern surveying techniques. Modern measurement methods for landfill body displacement monitoring and their control after restoration and adaptation as recreational areas include terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and scanning and low-altitude photogrammetric measurements from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The acquired measurement data in the form of 3D point clouds should be referenced to the local control network to enable a comprehensive analysis of data acquired using various techniques, including geotechnical sensors such as benchmarks, piezometers, and inclinometers. This study discusses the need for surface monitoring of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. A properly 3-D mapped landfill mass is the basis for ensuring the geotechnical safety of the restored landfill. Based on archival data and current measurements of the Radiowo landfill (Poland), this study compares the advantages and limitations of the following measurement techniques: linear and angular measurements, satellite measurements, TLS, and UAV scanning and photogrammetry, considering specific conditions of the location and vegetation of the landfill. Solutions for long-term monitoring were proposed, considering the cost and time resolution necessary for creating a differential model of landfill geometry changes.

Geoenvironmental approaches in an old municipal waste landfill reclamation process: Expectations vs reality

Nowadays, environmental geotechnics and engineering are facing several challenges to be addressed during landfill reclamation works. The purpose of the technical paper is to present examples of reclamation works designed to reduce the soil–water environment impact of an old municipal solid waste landfill and to ensure geotechnical safety. The authors tried to prove that even though the initially designed reclamation works could be difficult to implement and execute, they could bring the desired effect in real conditions. Several technical solutions to re-engineer shape the landfill body and reinforce the slope stability are discussed in the article. Commonly known pollution-reducing methods were also presented and discussed. For many years of operation, a landfill study area was located in difficult hydrogeological conditions, with no systems in place to prevent contamination. Using monitoring and numerical modelling, it has been shown that reclamation works increase the quality of groundwater and improve the conditions for landfill slope stability over time. The study also showed that both vertical barriers and leachate drainage systems can improve the condition of plant communities in landfill surroundings. Accordingly, reclamation works do not fundamentally change the function of a landfill but do limit its negative impacts on the environment, such as reducing the spread of pollutants into soil and water, protecting the slopes from erosion, reducing dust, allowing establishing of new vegetation cover, and improving the visual quality of the landscape. The research proved that expected reclamation results could only be reached if complex approaches and constant monitoring are provided when executing the reclamation works.

The use of geomembrane as a remediation towards a sustainable OMWW landfilling: Case study of Agareb site in Sfax, Tunisia

In Tunisia, olive mill wastewater (OMWW) locally named ‘margine’ constitutes a serious problem due to its huge amount, of about one million ton per year, and the high pollutant load resulting in the excessive chemical oxygen demand (COD) values and the presence of phytotoxic and antibacterial polyphenols. The most common treatment of OMWW was storage in evaporation ponds which are authorized but uncontrolled. Thus, it represents a potential contamination source of natural resources (air, soil and water) via infiltration. This study aims at a critically analysing the OMWW storage management on the site of Agareb in Sfax, Tunisia. The data relating to the OMWW production highlights that it exceeds its storage capacity due to the uncomplete OMWW evaporation. The geotechnical investigations confirmed the spread of OMWW through and below the storage basins. Furthermore, multiple slope sliding has been observed within embankments separating the OMWW storage basins. Faced with this alarming situation, the assessment of the incorporation of geomembrane is analysed in order to ensure the sustainability of OMWW landfilling. The slope stability analysis based on limit-equilibrium method (LEM) using Midas-Soil works software was investigated. The use of geomembrane can secure the slope stability and limit OMWW infiltrations in the landfill body and sub-soils in the studied site.

Evaluation of certain pollutants generation inside municipal solid waste landfills

Municipal solid waste disposal sites act as sources of secondary pollution of the environment with waste destruction products that undergo further chemical and biochemical transformations. The research deals with the issues of quantitative assessment of greenhouse gases and persistent organic pollutants formation within municipal solid waste landfills. It uses such methods as mathematical models of pollutants formation inside a municipal solid waste landfill body, namely methane and persistent organic pollutants formation. Bioorganic substance forming the major part of municipal solid waste generates methane, carbon dioxide and other compounds; presence of chlorine in various compounds included in the composition of waste causes unintentional formation of persistent organic pollutants, in particular PCDD/F. The article presents the results of measurements of methane formation (according to the National Gas Formation Model), carbon dioxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds formation (according to the LandGEM model) with relation to the conditions of the municipal solid waste landfill «Dalnytsky Kariery» that accepts waste from the Odesa industrial-and-urban agglomeration. It shows the municipal solid waste landfill as a significant source of greenhouse gases the amount of which increases rapidly under the conditions of long-term operation and constant delivery of waste. The discrepancy in the results of methane formation measurements indicates the need to adapt the LandGEM model that matches the Ukrainian conditions. It would allow determining a wide range of atmospheric polluting substances. The author's design determines the formation of persistent organic pollutants as exemplified by PCDD/F. The measurements showed that landfills act as a significant source of unintentional formation of PCDD/F, 99% of which accumulate inside a landfill itself. They also indicated that, under the conditions of a constant delivery of waste to a landfill, there is a rapid increase in the amount of PCDD/F formed, even with consideration of the half-life period. The landfill itself is considered as a main source of unintentional formation of PCDD/F within the whole Odesa agglomeration.

Peculiarities of biogenic elements migration in case of complex utilization of bioorganic component of municipal solid waste

Finding solutions to the problem of municipal solid waste management is impossible without involvement in the waste management system of the largest group of wastes – bioorganic waste, which form up to 60% of the municipal solid waste total mass. The aim of the article is to analyze the redistribution of biogenic elements subject to implementation of the Concept of solid municipal waste management by OSENU and subsequent utilization of bioorganic waste flow. Research methods include mass balance and equations of methane generation. The article presents the results of research on the biogenic elements migration in case of complex utilization of bioorganic component of municipal solid waste. The study shows that processing of easy-decomposed organic waste into a gaseous fermentation product and biomineral fertilizer allows full involvement of biogenic elements in natural cycles. The processed solid products present an additional source of organic matter and biogenic elements needed by soil. In the event of humus and nutrients shortage in soil the retrieved-from-waste fertilizer becomes an important secondary resource, containing up to 65% carbon and almost 100% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The rest of carbon is released with biogas and is eventually involved in natural cycles. Burial of such waste results in localization of biogenic elements in a landfill's body and gradual release of carbon with the products of destruction (27% over 50 years). All this data indicate the need for efficient use of such waste resource potential which is possible in case of easy-decomposed organic waste separation at the beginning of the municipal solid waste life cycle. Combustion releases only carbon in the form of carbon dioxide, the rest remains in ash. However, complex utilization of easy-decomposed organic waste ensures complete return of biogenic elements to the environment. Reuse of secondary raw materials in the form of paper and textile waste minimizes involvement in economic turnover of carbon from natural sources.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Operational Monitoring of Landfills

This study justifies the prospect of using aerial imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for technological monitoring and operational control of municipal solid waste landfills. It presents the results of surveys (aerial imagery) of a number of Russian landfills, which were carried out using low-cost drones equipped with standard RGB cameras. In the processing of aerial photographs, both photogrammetric data processing algorithms (for constructing orthophotoplans of objects and 3D modeling) and procedures for thematic interpretation of photo images were used. Thematic interpretation was carried out based on lists of requirements for the operating landfills (the lists were compiled on the basis of current legislative acts). Thus, this article proposes framework guidelines for the complex technological monitoring of landfills using relatively simple means of remote control. It shows that compliance with most of the basic requirements for landfill operations, which are listed in both Russian and foreign regulation, can be controlled by unmanned aerial imagery. Thus, all of the main technological operations involving waste at landfills (placement, compaction, intermediate isolation) are able to be controlled remotely; as well as compliance with most of the design and planning requirements associated with the presence and serviceability of certain engineering systems and structures (collection systems for leachate and surface wastewater, etc.); and the state of the landfill body. Cases where the compliance with operating standards cannot be monitored remotely are also considered. It discusses the advantages of air imagery in comparison with space imagery (detail of images, operational efficiency), as well as in comparison with ground inspections (speed, personnel safety). It is shown that in many cases, interpreting the obtained aerial photographs for technological monitoring tasks does not require special image processing and can be performed visually. Based on the analysis of the available world experience, as well as the results of the study, it was concluded that unmanned aerial imagery has great potential for solving problems of waste landfill management.

Monitoring of the State of the Environment in the Zone of Influence of the Landfill of Industrial and Domestic Waste by Bioindication Methods

The results of assessing the state of surface water bodies located in the zone of influence of the closed landfill of industrial and household waste "Shcherbinka" (Domodedovsky district of the Moscow region) are presented. The toxicity of river and waste waters of the landfill was determined by the biological effect on two species of higher plants – oats sowing (Avena sativa) and watercress (Lepidium sativum). As test reactions, the length of the roots of oat seedlings, the germination and length of seedlings of watercress seeds were used. It was found that wastewater from the surface and body of the landfill has a pronounced phytotoxic effect (52–98 %), which manifests itself in the suppression of all the assessed indicators. The high toxicity of river water in the place of discharge of leachate from the waste disposal facility was shown (the phytoeffect value reaches 37 %). As you move away from the source of pollution (when moving downstream of the river), mixing the leachate with river water reduces the concentration of chemicals in the waters to levels that are safe for plants. The values of the estimated indicators obtained during biotesting of river waters at a distance from the landfill are comparable with the control ones. The experiment revealed a similar sensitivity to toxicants of two plants selected as test objects.

Quantification of climate change mitigation potential at Novi Sad landfill

Unsanitary landfills and inadequate waste management system represent the 3rd largest global anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the environment. Waste management system in Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, significantly contributes to the national carbon footprint. Unsanitary Municipal solid waste landfill in Novi Sad receives and deposits mixed waste without any treatment, thus causing the organic waste to biodegrade within the landfill body, and produce and emit the landfill gas (mostly CH4 and CO2) in the environment. Other potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions from waste management system include vehicles used for waste collection, machinery used at the landfill and landfill fires. The purpose of this study is to determine total baseline emissions of relevant greenhouse gases from the waste management system in Novi Sad, and to estimate and quantify the emission reduction potential for defined organic waste treatment scenario. The potential scenarios for organic waste diversion and treatment from the landfill include composting, anaerobic digestion, mechanical biological treatment, waste to energy, etc. Quantification of baseline emissions and climate change mitigation potential are estimated using the Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool, the model developed by Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

Monitoring and Assessment of Groundwater Quality at Landfill Sites: Selected Case Studies of Poland and the Czech Republic

In order to protect the components of natural environment, each landfill must be properly secured and the monitoring program should be adopted. This study aims to present a comparative analysis of groundwater quality at selected landfill sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, with a special attention given to the levels and temporal changes of heavy metals (HMs) concentrations measured in collected groundwater samples. A secondary objective was to detect possible leakages of pollutants from the landfill body, into the groundwater, and further into the environment. The assessment of groundwater quality was based on a comparison of HMs concentrations with standards provided by the European environmental laws. On the basis of the long-term monitoring period, it was revealed, for the Polish landfill site, that the groundwater quality is improving over time, especially due to remedial works applied. For the Czech landfill, it was observed that the quality of groundwater is not negatively affected by the operation of the landfill, but in the immediate vicinity of the landfill, the groundwater quality is significantly affected by the agricultural use of neighbouring lands, as well as by the storage of construction and demolition wastes. The results showed that the leachate did not leak outside the landfills, especially due to minimal concentrations of HMs, measured in groundwater samples, taken from the piezometers located in the outflow direction from the landfills.