Leachate Management Research Articles

Black points : Detection, evaluation and control

“Black Points” are contaminated sites, which stem from former malpractices in waste management. Methodical campaigns have been launched to obtain an inventory of such sites. The strategies and techniques of prospection and investigation are reviewed and the parameters affecting risk evaluation are analysed. Numerous factors have to be considered when preparing a remedial action. Depending on the forms of contamination more or less extensive safety precautions should be taken. Contaminated earth and buried wastes may have to be excavated and treated, prior to disposal. The most prominent methods, which recently were developed for the cleaning of earth are reviewed. A major problem during the sanitation of most sites is the management of groundwater, leachate, and liquid wastes. In one strategy the contaminated site is completely isolated from the environment, in another it is hydraulically isolated by adjusting pumping rates from a series of wells and creating supplemental barriers. Also the problem of the treatment of leachates is briefly adressed.

Comparison of different methods of estimating infiltration at a landfill site in south Essex with implications for leachate management and control : Holmes, R Q J Engng GeolV17, N1, 1984, P9–18

Comparison of different methods of estimating infiltration at a landfill site in south Essex with implications for leachate management and control : Holmes, R Q J Engng GeolV17, N1, 1984, P9–18

Comparison of different methods of estimating infiltration at a landfill site in south Essex with implications for leachate management and control

Summary As a result primarily of rainfall infiltration through waste materials, all landfill sites in the United Kingdom will produce leachate. A procedure for estimating rainfall infiltration through landfill sites founded on readily and cheaply available Meteorological Office data is presented. This accounts for the distribution of rainfall throughout the year and shows that for a site in south Essex, between 14 and 34% (average 24%) of annual rainfall infiltrated in the past eight years. Winter and summer operational stategies which may minimize the production of leachate are summarized. These are based on minimizing rainfall infiltration in winter months and taking up the shortfall between potential evapotranspiration and actual evapotranspiration in summer months.

Recirculation of leachate as a landfill management option: benefits and operational problems

Summary Recirculation of leachate through landfilled solid wastes offers potential advantages in reducing the volume of liquid by surface evaporation, and reducing the strength of leachate by crude anaerobic treatment within the landfill. Increasing the moisture content of the fill is also reported to give rise to a more rapid stabilization of solid wastes, and to enhance gas (methane) production. Results of research using 7 m 3 lysimeters essentially confirmed these benefits and produced a predicted volume of low strength leachate within 18 months. A full-scale study at a lined landfill at Seamer Carr, North Yorkshire, has shown that on a large scale these benefits are more difficult to obtain, although this three-year study has proved successful in considerably reducing the volume and organic strength of leachate. It is concluded that recirculation by itself cannot provide a lasting solution for leachate management, although significant reductions in the volume and strength of leachate can be obtained. Careful control is required and, in particular, it is necessary to consider the hydrology of a landfill and how this is affected by use of (final and intermediate) cover material.