Municipal Waste Leachate Research Articles

Physiological and Microbial Community Analysis During Municipal Organic Waste Leachate Treatment by a Sequential Nitrification-Denitrification Process

Physiological and Microbial Community Analysis During Municipal Organic Waste Leachate Treatment by a Sequential Nitrification-Denitrification Process

Global perspective of municipal solid waste and landfill leachate: generation, composition, eco-toxicity, and sustainable management strategies.

Globally, more than 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated each year, with that amount anticipated to reach around 3.5 billion tonnes by 2050. On a worldwide scale, food and green waste contribute the major proportion of MSW, which accounts for 44% of global waste, followed by recycling waste (38%), which includes plastic, glass, cardboard, and paper, and 18% of other materials. Population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion are the principal drivers of the ever-increasing production of MSW across the world. Among the different practices employed for the management of waste, landfill disposal has been the most popular and easiest method across the world. Waste management practices differ significantly depending on the income level. In high-income nations, only 2% of waste is dumped, whereas in low-income nations, approximately 93% of waste is burned or dumped. However, the unscientific disposal of waste in landfills causes the generation of gases, heat, and leachate and results in a variety of ecotoxicological problems, including global warming, water pollution, fire hazards, and health effects that are hazardous to both the environment and public health. Therefore, sustainable management of MSW and landfill leachate is critical, necessitating the use of more advanced techniques to lessen waste production and maximize recycling to assure environmental sustainability. The present review provides an updated overview of the global perspective of municipal waste generation, composition, landfill heat and leachate formation, and ecotoxicological effects, and also discusses integrated-waste management approaches for the sustainable management of municipal waste and landfill leachate.

Elucidating methanogenesis and membrane filtration performance of a ceramic AnMBR treating municipal waste leachate

An anaerobic ceramic membrane bioreactor has considerable potential for treating low-strength wastewater but needs more study on high-strength waste streams. This study investigated the methanogenesis performance and inorganic fouling behavior of a flat-sheet ceramic AnMBR treating fresh leachate. The performance was elucidated at an average operating flux of 6.2 L/m2·h−1. The system demonstrated over 95 % chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency under a hydraulic retention time of 10 days and an organic loading rate of 5.8 kg-COD/m3·d. Different cleaning strategies were then tested under moderate or severe membrane fouling conditions. Physical cleaning can achieve efficient flux recovery after moderate fouling, while citric acid followed by NaClO cleaning was needed when severe membrane fouling occurred. The resistance-in-series distribution showed that pore blocking by inorganic matter dominated the fouling at the end of the experiment, accounting for 48.4 % of total resistance, whereby a permeability of 99.7 % was recoverable. From the industrial application point of view, a ceramic AnMBR must be evaluated further in large-scale research.

Hydrochemistry and groundwater quality assessment around solid waste landfill sites in peri-urban Jaipur, NW India.

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan State in northwestern India, is one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the country. The city and the region around it have documented a substantial drop in the water table due to the over-abstraction of groundwater resources to cater to the increasing water demands of the growing population. Consequently, the entire Jaipurdistrict has been categorized as a "dark zone," prohibiting any further groundwater development activity. Besides its dwindling availability, water quality is also a matter of concern. In places, the water is geogenically contaminated and unsuitable for drinking purposes due to high levels of undesired elements in groundwater, such as high fluoride in the southern part and high chloride in the southwestern part of the district. Groundwater contamination can also occur through several anthropogenic factors, such as industrialization and excessive use of insecticides and pesticides. Water pollution through sewage disposal in open land-fill sites is also an important factor, especially in the growing urban centers. In this study, the water quality evaluation around three landfill sites in the Jaipur district, namely Mathura Das Pura and Langadiyawas (east of the city) and Sewapura (northwest of the city), was carried out. The cation-anion analysis of 45 groundwater samples collected around these sites reveals a wide variation in the abundance of constituent parameters. In a majority of cases, most of the parameters are within acceptable limits prescribed by the national and international agencies (Bureau of Indian Standards and World Health Organization). The fluoride content is more than the prescribed limit of 1.5mg/l in several cases. This could be an intrinsic property of deeper aquifers. The majority of Mathura Das Pura and Langadiyawas samples classify as Na + K - CO3 + HCO3 to Mg - CO3 + HCO3 types in the Piper classification scheme, while a small proportion shows mixed water type characteristics, i.e., with no dominant parameter. Most of the samples have heavy metal abundances within the permissible limits while slightly elevated Cd and Pb levels were observed in some samples. A positive correlation between these two metals can be attributed to a common pollutant, possibly sourced from solid waste. The percent pollution index of Sewapura samples shows lower pollution levels (PPI < 40%) and a dominant chemical weathering trend while the majority of Mathura Das Pura-Langdiyawas samples show a high pollution effect (PPI 40 to 80%). In general, the chemical parameters of Sewapura (relatively new landfill site) samples define a more coherent group while water quality parameters in Mathura Das Pura and Langdiyawas (old landfill sites) samples show a wide variation, unsystematic distribution, and significantly higher than prescribed values for most of the hydrochemical parameters. The study shows that some of the water quality issues may be geogenic, while municipal waste dumping and leachate infiltration have adversely affected the groundwater quality.

Interactions of waste disposal site leachate with the Merida karst aquifer, Mexico

Hydrogeochemical tools were applied to evaluate the effect caused by the presence of municipal waste leachate on the balance of a karstic aquifer. The system evaluated correspond to the aquifer underlying the area of the old municipal waste disposal site (MWDS) in the city of Merida, Mexico. A contaminant plume identified with chloride ion concentrations was detected. Groundwater samples were collected from boreholes located along a flow line, starting at the downstream boundary of the dump site. The parameters involved in the carbonate system were analyzed, obtaining a decline in calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations for high pCO2 values. This behavior is explained by the presence of high bicarbonate (HCO3–) content, as a result of the waste decomposition reactions. The bicarbonate ions behaved as a buffer preventing pH reduction. In addition to this, the calcium and magnesium species indicate that the formation of complexes affected the mineral solubility where leachate has the greatest influence. The transport of minerals, in moles, between boreholes located along the groundwater flow line, was determined through inverse modeling. It is concluded that the leachate affects the carbonate balance, as determined by the transfer of minerals along the flow line; it was observed that mixed waters with a higher percentage of leachate tend to dissolve carbonate minerals. This is the analogous to findings reported in other leachate contaminated aquifers.

Waste leachate induces histological alterations in Limicolaria aurora (Jay, 1839) digestive gland

Unsanitary open dumping and burning of wastes in dumpsites results to constant leaching of waste pollutants into the surrounding environment with attendant harmful consequences on wildlife and public health. Here, we investigated the histological effects of Onitsha municipal waste leachate on the Giant African land snail, Limicolaria aurora (Jay 1839). The histopathological effects of waste leachate on the digestive cells of the snails were examined following standard protocols. Snails were exposed to different concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0%) of the leachate for a total duration of 21 days. Histological results obtained showed that waste leachate caused dose and duration dependent alterations in the digestive glands of L. aurora. Obvious histological variations were observed in snails exposed to 50% concentrations of the leachate compared to other doses. Observed histological changes were mainly degeneration of the digestive tubules, fragmentation and disappearance of the digestive cells, marked increase in excretory cells, necrosis and epithelia sloughing. This study therefore highlights the potential toxicity of waste leachate of causing mild to severe damage in the tissues of organisms. Reinforcing the fact, that waste leachate contains a mix of toxic substances that could pose a severe injury to the biological system of surrounding biota, including humans.

Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of Municipal Waste in Uncontrolled Dumpsites and Landfills Using Integrated Remote Sensing, Geological and Geophysical Data: A Case Study

The conducted research offers an environmental assessment of municipal waste (MW) using remote sensing (RS), geological, and geophysical datasets. As a test site, the present study aims to characterize one of the largest uncontrolled dumpsites in Egypt. RS data analysis indicates that high temperature values are concentrated at the MW and landfill site allocations as a result of the decomposition process, leading to fire risks. Moreover, the geological and structural data draw attention to the structural-controlled old topography role on MW distributions. Consequently, the dumpsite MW has larger surface quantities near the downthrows of the mapped faults. For MW characterization, geophysical data are acquired to produce2D/3D resistivity models. Because MW has the ability to become soft clay, the municipal organic waste and landfill leachate resistivities are lower than that of municipal solid waste and sandy soils. The geophysical inversion results indicate that the maximum thickness of MW calibrating with the drilled borehole data is 60 m. Furthermore, the estimated MW dumpsite volume is about 42.32 MCM. Accordingly, the MW can be characterized in an accurate qualitative and quantitative manner. Our findings, therefore, help the efforts of uncontrolled dumpsite development and thus contribute to sustainability plans.

Evaluation of Chemical Oxygen Demand and Color Removal from Leachate Using Coagulation/Flocculation Combined with Advanced Oxidation Process.

Background:One of the basic practices in the field of waste management is the collection and treatment of leachate. Leachate from municipal waste due to high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dark color is a potential pollutant of the environment, which causes a lot of problems in the absence of treatment and direct discharge to the environment. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of ultrasonic process in combination with coagulation and flocculation process using sodium ferrate in COD and color reduction.Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, all experiments were performed in batch conditions and with changing process variables such as pH and sonication time, and the effect of three parameters, including ultrasonic reaction time (15, 30, and 45 min), pH (2, 4, 5/5, and 7), and coagulant dosage (from 1 to 150 g/l) on the COD reduction and color removal, was evaluated. Coagulant concentration and then the removal efficiency of COD and color were analyzed by ANOVA using SPSS 18.Results:The COD reduction and color removal were 87.05% and 88.6% in optimal condition (using 120 g/L of sodium ferrate at pH 5.5), with coagulation/flocculation, after ultrasound (15 min). Ultrasound (15 min) + sodium ferrate (without coagulation/flocculation) achieved 46.25% of COD reduction and 90.35% of color elimination, whereas the ultrasonic process alone allowed removing the COD and color in the leachate by less than 50%.Conclusion:The results indicate that C–F followed by ultrasonic can be used to efficiently reduce the organic matter and color from municipal waste leachate, and it would be an ideal option for leachate treatment.

Properties and heavy metal leaching characteristics of leachate sludge-derived biochar.

Heavy metals and metalloids, in sludge and sediments, are environmental pollutants of concern with long-term negative effects on human and ecological health. In this study, sludge from biological treatment of municipal waste leachate was pyrolyzed into leachate sludge-derived biochar (LSDB) at 300°C to 900°C, comprising complex organic and inorganic (particularly heavy metals) species formed from heterogeneous chemical reactions. Based on different advanced material analyses, that is, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, this study revealed that mass loss and microstructural changes of LSDBs occurred primarily due to decomposition of volatiles, aromatic rings, carbonates, and hydroxides. The leaching behaviors of heavy metals from LSDBs were evaluated using the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP). The final pH in SPLP increased from 7.5 to 12.5 with pyrolysis temperature. The pH increase favored the retention of heavy metals in the LSDBs due to the formation of low soluble precipitates at alkaline pH. The heavy metals and metalloids in the LSDBs were present as surface precipitates due to precipitation and cation exchange rather than surface complexation. The leaching contents of metals and metalloids, such as Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, and As, were all below their respective maximum discharge standards for the first priority pollutants in China.

Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Lime-Softening Sludge Used as Landfill Liners

The research goal was to investigate the hydraulic conductivity of compacted lime-softening sludge as a material to be applied to landfill liners. In doing so, the effect of compaction and moulding moisture content on the sludge hydraulic conductivity was assessed. An approximate polynomial k10mean at hydraulic gradients ≥30 for degree of compaction (0.95–1.05) and moulding moisture content (28%–36%) was determined. The results of short-term tap water permeation tests revealed that all hydraulic conductivity values were less than 2.5•10–8 m/s. A lowest hydraulic conductivity of 6.5•10–9 m/s, as well as a corresponding moisture content of 31% were then established. The long-term hydraulic conductivity was measured with tap water, distilled water, NaOH and HCl solutions and municipal waste leachate. The factors of permeating liquids and permeation time significantly affected the initial hydraulic conductivity. The long-term hydraulic conductivity increased for NaOH and HCl solutions and decreased for tap and distilled water. A significant reduction of hydraulic conductivity was observed for leachate permeation. The investigated material met the requirements for the liner systems of inert landfill sites regardless of pH and the limit value for hazardous and non-hazardous waste landfills.

Physiological and bacteriological profile of the fish Clarias gariepinus (Siluriformes: Clariidae) chronically exposed to different concentrations of municipal waste leachate in Nigeria

Introduction: One of the most commonly used methods of waste management is landfilling, which has been a major environmental concern. Objective: To examine the effect of leachate on Clarias gariepinus. Methods: We tested Clarias gariepinus (n=700) with varying concentrations of leachate (0, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) from the Amoyo dumpsite, Ilorin, Nigeria. After 28-day exposure, haematological, biochemical, bacteriological and histopathological assays were carried out. Results: pH ranged from 7,78 to 13,97; cadmium, iron, lead, manganese and zinc were 178-, 134-, 6248-, 400- and 3-fold, respectively, higher than the regulatory limits for waterbodies, while copper fell within the limits. Values of red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly lower than the control. Conversely, white blood cell, neutrophils and eosinophils increased in a concentration-dependent manner. There were tissue-specific differences in the responses of all biochemical parameters investigated except for protein that significantly decreased in all the tissues. veitisiete bacterial isolates classified into seven genera including Bacillus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Escherichia and Micrococcus were recorded from the leachate and selected organs of C. gariepinus. The total bacterial, viable coliform and total counts in the leachate were 4,2×106CFU/mL, 3,8×108CFU/mL, 3,6× 106CFU/mL and 2,7×108CFU/mL, respectively. The highest counts were recorded in the gills (14,2×106CFU/mL) and lowest in the muscle (2,7×106CFU/mL) at the highest and least concentration of the leachate, respectively. Most of the bacteria isolated from the leachate were also recovered from the fish organs. Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of occurrence (26%). Conclusion: This study revealed that toxic constituents of the leachate elicited deleterious changes in the bacteriology and physiology of C. gariepinus.

Levels and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Weija Reservoir, Accra, Ghana

Reservoirs are normally subjected to various forms of degradation due to pollution arising from anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals are of particular concern because of their potential toxic effect and ability to bio-accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. Agricultural activities around the Weija reservoir and municipal waste leachate intrusion have been reported. Investigations were therefore conducted to determine the levels and distribution of heavy metals in the Weija reservoir. Specific heavy metals were determined in water, suspended particles, sediments and fish species using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Mercury was analysed with a mercury analyser, which uses cold vapour. The result showed that the concentrations of metals were greater in sediment than the suspended particles and reservoir water; Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were all below the chronic freshwater quality criteria for aquatic life. Iron (Fe) and Mn were the most abundant elements associated with the suspended solids, whiles Cd was the least. With the exception of Cu and Cd that were not detected in the fish species, the other metals were found at varying concentrations, but within acceptable thresholds. The concentrations of heavy metals in the various fish and prawn species were ranked in the following order: Parachanna obscura > Macrobrachium rosenbergii > Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus > Clarias batracus > Clarias gariepinus > Hemichromis faciatus > Sarotherodon melantheron. There were significant positive correlation between the following metals in water; Pb and Zn (r=0.66), Cr and As (r=0.52). Evidence from principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that two key source factors, characterised as related to mining and municipal solid wastes, underpinned heavy metal contamination in the Weija reservoir. Thus, illegal small-scale mining along the tributaries feeding the Weija reservoir affected the quality of water received in the reservoir.

Municipal leachates health risks: Chemical and cytotoxicity assessment from regulated and unregulated municipal dumpsites in Lebanon

The proper management of municipal waste is critical for resource recovery, sustainability and health. Lebanon main approach for managing its municipal waste consisted of landfill disposal with minimal recycling capacity. This approach contributed to exceeding the holding capacity of existing landfills leading eventually to their closures. The closure of a major landfill (Naameh landfill) servicing Beirut and Mount Lebanon areas led to municipal wastes piling in the streets and forests for more than a year in 2016. The main problem identified in the municipal wastes consisted of untreated leachates (from regulated and unregulated dumpsites) going straight into the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore leachate samples were collected and subjected to chemical characterization followed by biological assessment. The chemical characterization and profiling of the Lebanese leachates were compared to results reported in Lebanon, Europe and United States as well as to the toxicity reference values (TRV). The biological assessment was conducted in vitro using human derived immortalized cell cultures. This strategy revealed significant alarming cellular organelles and DNA damages using in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTS and comet assay). The significant damages observed at the cellular level prompted further animal model investigations using BALB/c mice. The animal data pointed to significant upregulation of liver activity enzymes coupled with significant damage expression in liver spleen and bone marrow DNA. The presented research clearly indicated that there is an urgent need for development of national waste strategies for proper treatment and disposal of municipal waste leachates in Lebanon.

Study on Municipal Waste Leachate Treatment in Two-stage Anaerobic Bioreactor as Continuous Flow

Study on Municipal Waste Leachate Treatment in Two-stage Anaerobic Bioreactor as Continuous Flow

LABORATORY APPLICATIONS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY USING FLOCCULATION PROCESS

In the application of coagulation and flocculation process in the wastewater treatment, the laboratory activities are very important and sometime even indispensable. These activities provides some solutions to the efficiency that can be obtained and offer the possibly of results extrapolation to the industrial applications. The present study attempted to verify some possible laboratory application of the Acefloc organic flocculants series to the municipal waste leachate treatment. In these sense, some laboratory techniques were implemented to evaluate de flocculants efficiency by analyzing some quality parameters. In the case of Acefloc 00303L flocculants use were obtained the best performances regarding the analyzed quality indicators reduction. By using the flocculation process, the COD concentration decrease with 85.35 % in the case of Acefloc 00303L flocculants use

Municipal waste leachate conversion via catalytic supercritical water gasification process

The aim of the paper is to investigate the thermal conversion of Municipal Waste Leachate (MWL) to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), based on two step process: gasification with water in supercritical conditions (SCWG) followed by a catalytic upgrading of the resulting gas phase. The proposed combination showed advantages in terms of biomass conversion efficiency with respect to the conventional approaches. As the initial biomass liquid phase includes some carboxylic acids, which are the usual intermediate of biomass decomposition process in SCWG, it is expected that the combined effect of catalysis and SCW leads to an increase of syngas yield, together with an enrichment in hydrogen. Experimental tests, carried out by varying MWL flow rate, showed that SCWG technology allows to produce a syngas with a Higher Heating Value (HHV) of about 15–17MJ/kg. Hydrogen and methane compositions of the produced syngas varied in the range 25–47%v/v and 11–18%v/v, respectively. Syngas upgrading experimental tests were carried out by using a Nickel based catalyst increasing methane SNG fraction up to 50%v/v.

Transport parameters of lead (Pb) Ions migrating through saturated lateritic soil–bentonite column

This paper describes experiments and analyses conducted to determine the transport parameters of lead (Pb) ions diffusing through compacted lateritic soil–bentonite column. Experimental programme included the batch sorption tests and diffusion tests conducted in cells containing water-saturated lateritic soil treated with up to 10% bentonite by dry weight of soil. Specimens for diffusion tests were compacted at approximately 2% wet of optimum moisture content with British standard heavy (BSH) effort and exposed to municipal waste leachate placed on top of the specimens. Migration of Pb ions was monitored by measurement of pore water concentrations at various depths along the soil mixture columns together with the soil transport parameters (i.e. distribution coefficient, Kd, retardation factor, Rd and diffusion coefficient, D*). Based on sorption data, linear sorption isotherms were derived. Kd values of 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.9 as well as Rd values of 11.0, 11.1, 12.5, 12.5, 16.7 were recorded for 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10% bentonite contents, respectively. The distribution of Pb was limited to upper sections (1.6–3.2 cm) of the soil column in mixtures. Diffusion testing established D* values of 4.50, 3.15, 2.78, 2.42 and 2.06 × 10−10 m2/s for the same sequence of bentonite treatment which is consistent with very strong sorption on mixtures particularly with higher bentonite contents.

A study of treated municipal waste leachate and Zeolite effects on soils

ABSTRACT- As the world's population has grown and become more urban and affluent, waste production has raised drastically. Wastewater reuse has been identified as a way to alleviate water scarcity and improve crop productivity and environmental sustainability. To address the issue, a soil column experiment was carried out in a 3 × 3 factorial randomized block design including three treatments of adsorbents (non-pretreated leachate (L1), rice husk filtered leachate (L2), activated carbon filtered leachate (L3)) and three levels of zeolite (0, 5 and 10% by soil weight).A decrease in drainage water volume through the experiment period was observed. Application of zeolite at 5% level could improve soil removal efficiency and had a positive impact on the quality of the wastewater, as indicated by changes in EC, Na+, Ca2++Mg2+, Cl- (decreased by 22%, 15%, 24%, 15% respectively) and total P (increased by 12%) for treatment of leachate. However, adding 10% zeolite did not make a significant difference (p<0.05). Adsorbents used in the experiment had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the parameters such as N-NH4+, SAR, total P and Na+ content. Changes in most parameters for the L3 treatment were statistically significant (p<0.05) compared to other leachates (less N-NH4+ (40%), total P (33%) and more Ca2++Mg2+ (14.3%), Na+ (14%)) indicating an increase in adsorbent efficiency due to rice husk activation. Therefore, it can be concluded that application of zeolite can improve soil removal efficiency for treatment of leachate, but the rates of application can be case sensitive depending on the soil and the type of zeolite.

The Impact of Leachate on the Quality of Surface and Groundwater and Proposal of Measures for Pollution Remediation

Direct discharge of municipal and industrial waste waters and leachate (originating from the illegal landfills) into recipients without prior purification is unfortunately very common practice in the region of northern Kosovo. In addition, irresponsible and incorrect selection of sites for industrial and municipal dumps, which are often located in vicinity or on actual river banks, contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Analysis of the leachate from such sites was done by direct sampling and by using TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leashing Procedures) method. Based on the analysis of physicochemical parameters of the filtrated water from the sites Zitkovac, Grabovac and Balaban and analysis of the samples of surface water and groundwater from the site Grabovac, possible steps for removal and reduction of the existing pollution were proposed. Potential permanent solution in form of purification of municipal and industrial waste waters as well as leachate from illegal landfills was suggested. The potential implementation of remediation with a unified system for water purification, by using Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR), which includes the process of stabilization/solidification of a residual sludge, would have as an end product a neutral powder material completely safe for the environment, suitable for a variety of applications.

Identification of sources and processes in a low-level radioactive waste site adjacent to landfills: groundwater hydrogeochemistry and isotopes

Multiple tracer-element and isotope approaches were applied at a 1960s-era low-level radioactive waste burial site located in the Lucas Heights area on the southwest urban fringe of Sydney, Australia. The site is situated among other municipal and industrial (solid and liquid) waste disposal sites causing potential mixing of leachates. Local rainfall contains marine-derived major ion ratios that are modified during infiltration depending on waste interactions. The local geology favours the retention of contaminants by ion-exchange processes within the clay-rich soils and the shale layer underlying the burial site. Local soils experience periodic infiltration and wetting fronts that can fully saturate the waste trenches (bathtub effect) while surrounding soils are mostly unsaturated with discontinuous perched lenses. Within the trenches, the degradation of organic matter results in localised methanogenesis, as suggested by enriched δ2H and δ13CDIC values in adjacent subsurface water. Movement of contaminants from the trenches is indicated by Na+, Br− and I− concentrations, variations in 87Sr/86Sr, enriched δ13CDIC values and evolution of δ34S of dissolved sulfate in perched water bodies above the shale. Although transport is limited by the low transmissivity of the clay-rich soils, migration and mixing processes are indicated by the variation of concentrations with distance from the trenches, disappearance of δ2H enrichments, mixing with other sources of Sr and sulfate isotope fractionations. The depth distribution of waste-derived contaminants (specifically 3H and Be) between the perched water surrounding the trenches, and the underlying shale and sandstone layers, indicates limited downward transport of contaminants. Past removal of the shale layer in an adjacent site, Harrington's Quarry, has facilitated the mixing of some municipal waste leachates (characterised by circum-neutral pH, high alkalinity, low sulfate, high 3H, high Be, enriched δ2H and δ13CDIC) into the underlying groundwater system as suggested by high TDS, Cl−/Br− ratios, Be and 3H found in deeper wells. This study demonstrates the applicability of using trace elements, stable- and radio-isotopes to document the existing geochemistry and the contaminant transport from the waste trenches. The multiple tracer approach addresses the complexities of transport at the site and differentiates various municipal, industrial and radioactive waste sources.