Experimental and Modelling Approaches for the Assessment of Chemical Impacts of Leachate Migration from Landfills: A Case Study of a Site on the Triassic Sandstone Aquifer in the UK East Midlands

Current risk-based methods for assessing the effects of landfill leachate migration on groundwater resources are conservative and generalised. Cost-effective and practical strategies are required which can robustly determine the potential for contaminant attenuation on a site-specific basis. In this paper laboratory column experiments and reactive transport modelling are evaluated as a combined approach for assessing the chem’ical impact of leachate migration in the Triassic Sandstone aquifer. The results are compared with field data for a landfill in the East Midlands. Columns of aquifer sandstone were flushed sequentially with groundwater, followed by acetogenic or methanogenic leachate to simulate chemical interactions occurring during leachate loading episodes. The key contaminants in leachate (NH₄, heavy metals, organic fractions) were attenuated by ion exchange, redox reactions, sorption and degradation. These processes produce a consistent hydrochemical signature which may help identify the extent of leachate migration in the aquifer. The laboratory results largely replicate those found in the field system, and the behaviour of inorganic contaminants during leachate flushing of the aquifer columns can be described by the reactive transport model. The experimental and modelling approach presented represents a powerful tool for risk assessment and prediction of leachate contaminant fate at unlined and lined landfills.     

Investigation on potential groundwater impacts and influence of local hydrogeology on natural attenuation of leachate at a municipal landfill

The influence of local hydrogeology on natural attenuation of contaminants from landfill leachates in shallow aquifer underlying the active Olusosun landfill base in Lagos was investigated. In addition, the level of groundwater contamination in the vicinity of the landfill and of leachate migration pattern in groundwater down gradient of the landfill base was equally assessed. Landfill leachate and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed and characterized. Physico-chemical analyses of sampled water followed standard analytical methods. Analytical results showed a measurable impact of leachate outflows on groundwater quality. Elevated levels of anions: nitrate, chloride and sulphate in the groundwater body and heavy metals: Cr₃. Cd and Cu, were detected at measurable levels in groundwater down gradient of the landfill location without any particular attenuation pattern. The migration pattern and dispersion of leachates down gradient, 750 m away from the landfill location are irregular and difficult to predict as depicted by levels of contaminants present in groundwater. The study highlighted the importance of soil stratigraphy beneath the landfill base as an important factor in the natural attenuation of leachate constituents in the groundwater body.     

Attenuation of landfill leachate at two uncontrolled landfills

Attenuation characteristics of landfill leachate were examined for two uncontrolled landfills in Korea. The two landfills containing municipal wastes without appropriate bottom liner and leachate treatment system have different landfill age, waste volume, and most importantly different hydrogeologic settings. One landfill (Cheonan landfill) is situated in an open flat area while the other (Wonju landfill) is located in a valley. Variations of various parameters including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved oxygen (DO), alkalinity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), redox potential (ORP), ammonia (NH₃), nitrate (NO₃⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), and chloride (Cl⁻) were examined along groundwater flow path. All these parameters were analyzed every month for a year. In the interior of the landfills, typical anaerobic conditions revealed by low DO and NO₃ concentrations, negative ORP values, high NH₃, alkalinity, and Cl⁻ concentrations were observed. Generally, higher levels of contaminants (DOC, NH₃, and Cl⁻) were detected in the dry season while they were greatly lowered in the wet season. Significantly, large decrease of Cl^- concentration in the wet season indicates that the dilution or mixing is one of dominant attenuation mechanisms of leachate. But detailed variation behaviors in the two landfills are different and they were largely dependent on permeability of surface and subsurface layers. The intermediately permeable surface of the landfills receives part of direct rainfall infiltration but most rainwater is lost to fast runoff. The practically impermeable surface of clayey silt (paddy field) at immediately adjacent to the Cheonan landfill boundary prevented direct rainwater infiltration and hence redox condition of the ground waters were largely affected by that of the upper landfill and the less permeable materials beneath the paddy fields prohibited dispersion of the landfill leachate into down gradient area. In the Wonju landfill, there are three different permeability divisions, the landfill region, the sandy open field and the paddy field. Roles of the landfill and paddy regions are very similar to those at the Cheonan. The very permeable sandy field receiving a large amount of rainwater infiltration plays a key role in controlling redox condition of the down gradient area and contaminant migration. This paper reports details of the attenuation and redox conditions of the landfill leachates at the two uncontrolled landfills.     

Apparent Formation Factor for Leachate-Saturated Waste and Sediments: Examples from the USA and China

The formation factor relates bulk resistivity to pore fluid resistivity in porous materials. Understanding the formation factor is essential in using electrical and electromagnetic methods to monitor leachate accumulations and movements both within and around landfills. Specifically, the formation factor allows leachate resistivity, the degree of saturation, and, possibly, even the hydraulic conductivity of the waste to be estimated from non-invasive surface measurements. In this study, apparent formation factors are computed for three landfills with different types of waste as well as sediments contaminated by landfill leachate. Resistivity soundings at the closed Mallard North landfill in suburban Chicago (Illinois, USA) mapped leachate surfaces that were confirmed by monitoring wells. The resistivity of leachate-saturated waste from resistivity sounding inversions was then divided by the leachate resistivity values measured in-situ to compute apparent formation factors (Fa) ranging from 1.6 to 4.9. A global Fa of 3.0±1.9 was computed for the entire monitored portion of this landfill At a nearby mixed laboratory waste landfill, a 2D inverted resistivity section was used to compute an Fa of 2.9. Finally, a distinctly different Fa value of 10.6±2.8 was computed for leachate-saturated retorted oil and organic compounds. The Fa for aquifers containing contaminated groundwater fall in the same range as aquifers with normal groundwater, 1.7-3.9. However, models from inverted sounding curves over these contaminated areas exhibit unusually low resistivity layers, which may be diagnostic of contamination.     

Increase of vulnerability of karst aquifers due to leakage from landfills

Karst aquifers are very vulnerable to various pollution sources. Among these, landfills can contribute contaminants over long periods. Groundwater quality monitoring is required to assess the impact of a landfill leachate on underlying aquifer water or spring discharge. Tracer tests are useful for selecting the location and frequency of sampling. Three landfill sites in karst areas were studied with tracer tests. Additional insight was accomplished by the comparison of the tracer transfer and the breakthrough curves obtained from these tests with the results of two other tracer tests carried out in the same period in karst areas without a landfill. To explain the differences observed, the hypothesis of increased permeability below the landfill due to the presence of inorganic acids in leachates was further tested. The results of detailed, long-term monitoring of contaminated drip water in the Postojna Cave were used to verify the hypothesis. The analysis of the simultaneously increased content of calcium, magnesium, and contaminants in the drip water indicates a direct correlation between limestone dissolution and contaminants. Increased dissolution increases secondary porosity and thus permeability of the vadose zone resulting in higher vulnerability of underlying aquifers and springs in the vicinity landfills.     

Containment landfills: the myth of sustainability

A number of major problems associated with the containment approach to landfill management are highlighted. The fundamental flaw in the strategy is that dry entombment of waste inhibits its degradation, so prolonging the activity of the waste and delaying, possibly for several decades, its stabilisation to an inert state. This, coupled with uncertainties as to the long-term durability of synthetic lining systems, increases the potential, for liner failure at some stage in the future whilst the waste is still active, leading to groundwater pollution by landfill leachate. Clay liners also pose problems as the smectite components of bentonite liners are subject to chemical interaction with landfill leachate, leading to a reduction in their swelling capacity and increase in hydraulic conductivity. Thus, their ability to perform a containment role diminishes with time. More critically, if diffusion rather than advection is the dominant contaminant migration mechanism, then no liner will be completely impermeable to pollutants and the containment strategy becomes untenable.

There are other less obvious problems with the containment strategy. One is the tendency to place total reliance on artificial lining systems and pay little attention to local geological/hydrogeological conditions during selection of landfill sites. Based on the attitude that any site can be engineered for landfilling and that complete protection of groundwater can be effected by lining systems, negative geological characteristics of sites are being ignored. Furthermore, excessive costs in construction and operation of containment landfills necessitate that they are large scale operations (superdumps), with associated transfer facilities and transport costs, all of which add to overall waste management costs. Taken together with unpredictable post-closure maintenance and monitoring costs, possibly over several decades, the economics of the containment strategy becomes unsustainable. Such a high-cost, high-technology approach to landfill leachate management is generally beyond the financial and technological resources of the less wealthy nations, and places severe burdens on their economies. For instance, in third world countries with limited water resources, the need to preserve groundwater quality is paramount, so expensive containment strategies are adopted in the belief that they offer greatest protection to groundwater. A final indictment of the containment strategy is that in delaying degradation of waste, the present generations waste problems will be left for future generations to deal with.

More cost-effective landfill management strategies take advantage of the natural hydrogeological characteristics and attenuation properties of the subsurface. The ‘dilute and disperse’ strategy employs the natural sorption and ion exchange properties of clay minerals, and it has been shown that in appropriate situations it is effective in attenuating landfill leachate and preventing pollution of water resources. Operated at sites with thick clay overburden sequences, using a permeable cap to maximise rainfall infiltration and a leachate collection system to control leachate migration, ‘dilute and disperse’ is a viable leachate management strategy. Hydraulic traps are relatively common hydrogeological situations where groundwater flow is towards the landfill, so effectively suppressing outwards advective flow of leachate. This approach is also best employed with a clay liner, taking advantage of the attenuation properties of clays to combat diffusive flow of contaminants. These strategies are likely to guarantee greater protection of groundwater in the long term.     

Statistical Assessment of Unidirectional Propagation of a Leachate Contamination Plume

The leachate produced by the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill of São Pedro da Aldeia (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) flows almost entirely in one direction guided by a natural ditch in the bottom of a gentle valley. This landfill has been in operation with no concern to environmental protection, such as containment systems or leachate drainage and treatment. This inadequate operation causes severe damage to flora, wildlife and local farmers, due to continuous propagation of contaminants in the groundwater. Field and laboratory measurements of ionic concentrations of several contaminants found in the groundwater adjacent the landfill are presented and interpreted in this paper. Several farms are located adjacent to the landfill, comprising about 1,000 inhabitants that use the ground water for personal use and land farming activities. The main purpose of this paper is to assess the environmental hazard to the surrounding properties as the landfill is still in operation. This is accomplished by estimating the maximum distance travelled by the leachate plume based on the statistical interpretation of the measured ionic concentration of several contaminants found commonly in landfills. The main recommendation coming from the statistical assessment is that safe groundwater consumption should be limited to a minimum distance of 400 m from the contamination source, provided that the quality of ground water is continuously monitored while the MSW landfill is still in operation.     

基于单体多维稳定同位素分析的地下水有机污染研究进展

单体多维稳定同位素分析技术(MD-CSIA)能够更加深入地解析地下水有机污染物的衰减过程,为监测目标污染物原位修复效果和探究其微生物降解机制提供技术支持。文中分析了MD-CSIA技术在地下水有机污染研究中的应用动态,讨论了利用该技术进行有机污染物来源辨识及其迁移转化过程示踪的可行性,着重指出该技术可有效判识有机污染物在地下水中的转化途径并量化其转化程度,最后预测了MD-CSIA技术应用研究的发展趋势。     

Tracing subsurface migration of contaminants from an abandoned municipal landfill

This paper aims at determining of inorganic leachate contamination for a capped unsanitary landfill in the absence of hydrogeological data. The 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging, soil physicochemical characterization, and surface water analysis were used to determine contamination load and extent of selective heavy metal contamination underneath the landfill. The positions of the contaminated subsoil and groundwater were successfully delineated in terms of low resistivity leachate plumes of <10 Ωm. Leachate migration towards the reach of Kelang River could be clearly identified from the resistivity results and elevated concentrations of Fe in the river downslope toe of the site. Concentration of Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Pb was measured for the subsoil samples collected at the downslope (BKD), upslope (BKU), and the soil-waste interface (BKI), of the landfill. The concentration levels obtained for most of the analyzed heavy metals significantly exceed the normal range in typical municipal solid waste landfill sites. The measured heavy metal contamination load in the subsoil is in the following order Fe ? Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu. Taking into consideration poor physical and chemical characteristics of the local soil, these metals first seem to be attenuated naturally at near surface then remobilize unavoidably due to the soil acidic environment (pH 4.2-6.18) which in turn, may allow an easy washing of these metals in contact with the shallow groundwater table during the periodic fluctuation of the Kelang River. These heavy metals are believed to have originated from hazardous industrial waste that might have been illegally dumped at the site.     

Environmental impact and geochemical behavior of soil contaminants from an industrial waste landfill in Southern Brazil

Industrial waste landfills produce great impacts on soil and groundwater. There are many industrial waste landfills in Vale dos Sinos, Southern Brazil, which were inadequately planned and maintained since the industry started in the first half of the twentieth century. The largest industrial landfill in the Valley, which causes the most severe impacts on soil and groundwater, is the subject of this paper, which studies the environmental impacts and behavior of contaminants in soil. The landfill was carefully mapped on a scale of 1:1,000; 88 samples were collected from soil probes; the leachate of three samples was comprehensively analyzed; and soils mineralogy and chemistry were studied. Few studies have been made on this landfill. This study shows widespread contamination of soil in the surrounding areas of the landfill. Chromium, chloride and ammonium have the highest contamination levels, reflecting their high contents in landfill leachate. Contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons, cyanide and mercury is registered in more than 65% of soil samples with low concentrations. Lead, copper and barium show low contamination restricted to a few soil samples. Soil contamination occurs mainly in the unsaturated zone of the aquifer at the convergence points of stormwater, showing that the preferential transport of contaminants occurs on surface flow followed by soil infiltration. The results of leaching tests indicate high metal sorption capacity of soil. The remediation of contaminated soil must contain at least the following actions: sealing the top of the landfill, installation of geochemical barriers, removal of the liquid waste basins without sealing the base and collection and treatment of the rainwater drainage.     

垃圾渗滤液污染晕中污染物的衰减规律研究

通过实验室土柱模拟实验,研究垃圾渗滤液污染晕中不同污染物在空间和时间上的迁移转化规律和生物地球化学作用机理。实验结果表明：渗滤液污染晕中,TOC浓度随距离增加而降低,其初期去除率为99.87%。随着时间的延长,TOC浓度升高,末期去除率仅为55.21%,而且其在地下环境中的迁移能力较强;铵氮空间上的变化规律在初期与TOC相似,其去除率达99.58%,但后期其浓度随距离的增加呈先升高后降低的变化趋势。随着时间的延长,铵氮浓度不断升高,但其迁移能力不及TOC,末期去除率仍高达90.21%。     

垃圾填埋场对周边地质环境影响与防治对策

垃圾填埋场对周边地质环境的污染越来越受到研究人员的重视,其影响因素复杂,不仅与MSW的性质有关,还与垃圾填埋场的类型及其所处地质环境有密切关系。为分析垃圾填埋场中的渗滤液、重金属以及其他有害物质对周边地质环境(地下水环境、土壤环境)的影响规律,对大量相关文献和实验资料进行研究分析。研究结果表明:渗滤液是垃圾填埋场影响周围地质环境最为重要的因素,对渗滤液污染地表水及地下水情况和防治方法进行了探讨;同样渗滤液也是重金属污染土壤的载体,重金属在土壤剖面中的滞留量一般随深度的增加而逐渐减少;重金属对土壤的污染具有积累性和滞后性特点,随着填埋时间的延长污染加重。最后,根据其污染途径和污染规律,提出了相应具体防治对策。     

Testing the ability of bentonite-amended natural zeolite (clinoptinolite) to remove heavy metals from liquid waste

 The design of environmentally sound liquid waste containment structures has become a crucial task in engineering applications due to ever increasing groundwater contamination from such sites. Construction of such structures usually requires a bottom liner of low hydraulic conductivity as part of the design. In order to reduce the hazards associated with liquid wastes including landfill leachate, bentonite-amended natural zeolite is proposed as an alternative to conventional earthen liners. Among many contaminants associated with liquid wastes, heavy metals are the most dangerous ones. This paper deals with determining the ability of natural zeolite to remove heavy metals from aqueous waste. For this purpose, crushed natural zeolite (clinoptinolite) is amended with commercial powdered bentonite to yield a soil mixture low in permeability and high in ion-exchange capacity. Leachate from a conventional landfill is used as the percolation fluid. Concentrations of certain heavy metals in the effluent fluid percolated through the bentonite-zeolite mixture are compared with that of initial leachate. The conclusion is reached that certain metals are efficiently removed from the influent solution by the soil matrix whereas some ions do not show significant reduction in concentration. This is attributed to high hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite-zeolite mixture.     

Analysis of undisturbed layers of a waste deposit landfill – Insights into the transformation and transport of organic contaminants

Comprehensive GC/MS analysis was applied to both the mobile liquid phase (seepage water) and the immobile solid matter of discrete layers derived from a waste deposit landfill. The vertical distribution of organic compounds supports information on the transport, transfer and transformation processes with depth and, consequently, with time.Numerous low molecular weight organic contaminants of natural and xenobiotic origin were identified and partially quantified. Several were selected to act as molecular indicators for different processes. Interpretation of their occurrence and concentration profiles (considering possible waste sources) and their molecular properties allowed us to (i) differentiate immobile and mobile fractions, (ii) reveal restrictions in the vertical transport by transfer processes between particulate and water phase, (iii) identify dynamic accumulations of individual contaminants and (iv) estimate approximate residence times. In addition, intensive degradation processes were pointed out for the natural fraction of the organic matter by way of determination of specific transformation products. Besides the transformation of natural components, transformation of numerous xenobiotics was recognised. In particular, with respect to an important group of contaminants, the phthalate-based plasticisers, a detailed view of (i) the influence of transfer and transport phenomena on transformation processes as well as (ii) the consecutive appearance of different degradation steps in both seepage water and solid waste was pointed out. The information provides a valuable base for the prediction of the long term behaviour of organic contaminants in waste deposit landfills.     

Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents: a comparative study

Sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents have been investigated. Sites Dolni Tresnovec and Zetor located in Czech Republic exhibit relatively reducing conditions. Primary chlorinated solvents are attenuated by reductive dechlorination processes, and plumes have probably reached steady-state at Zetor site. Terminal electron accepting processes (TEAP) are ferric iron reduction and sulfate reduction at respective Dolni Tresnovec and Zetor sites. Source of organic matter at Dolni Tresnovec site is the waste deposited at local landfill. At Zetor site reducing conditions are linked to the petroleum hydrocarbons spill from broken pipeline. In contrast, site Dubnica in Slovak Republic exhibits oxidizing conditions, and natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents occurs mostly by dispersion. Modeling by the program BIOCHLOR indicated formation of steady-state plumes close to source at Zetor site, much longer steady-state plumes at Dolni Tresnovec site, and extremely long plumes at Dubnica site. Results demonstrate an important role of redox conditions in natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents.     

The use of strontium and lead isotopes to identify sources of water beneath the Fresh Kills landfill,Staten Island,New York,USA

A study was undertaken to explore whether the isotopic compositions of Pb and Sr are useful to distinguish mixtures of uncontaminated groundwater, seawater, and landfill leachate at the Fresh Kills landfill, Staten Island, New York. Ratios of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranged from 0.7088 to 0.7137 and could be used to distinguish Sr that was derived from seawater from that in uncontaminated groundwater. Lead isotopic abundances did not vary systematically among the different water sources. Plots of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr versus dissolved organic C, B, and NH₄⁺ defined perpendicular trends, documenting where leachate or sea water mixed with uncontaminated groundwater, and demonstrating that leachate has not contaminated groundwater in aquifers beneath the landfill.     

Geologic aspects of landfill refuse disposal

The decomposition of solid waste materials in sanitary landfills produces liquids and gases which are deleterious to human beings, animals, plants and inorganic geologic materials. This paper presents a summary of leachate characteristics and discusses the effects of leachate on groundwater quality and carbonate strata. A system for site evaluation for purposes of sanitary landfill is also presented. The characteristics of the soil and rock at a site are included in the evaluation system through assessment of their infiltration potential, permeability, filtering capability and absorption potential. The characteristics of the groundwater at a site are taken into consideration through assessment of the substrate potential, buffering capacity and distributive potential (for contaminants). Formulae are stated to allow determination of evaluation parameters, and an example of the application of the rating system is presented. Use of the site-evaluation system will improve the quality of site selection and will reduce contamination and pollution problems created by construction of refuse landfills at unsuitable locations.     

Groundwater contamination in Japan

Problems on groundwater contamination in Japan are briefly summarized in this paper. Although normal physical conditions in Japan restrict the possibilities of groundwater contamination, human activities are threatening groundwater resources. A survey by the Environment Agency of Japan showed nationwide spreading of organic substances, such as trichloroethylene as well as nitrogen compounds. Synthetic detergents have also been detected even in rural areas and in deep confined aquifers, although their concentrations are not as high. Public awareness of agrichemical or pesticides abuse, especially from golf courses, is apparent. Other problems such as nitrate-nitrogen, leachate from landfills, and the leaking of underground storage tanks are also discussed.     

Daily and seasonal stem radial activity of Populus euphratica and its association with hydroclimatic factors in the lower reaches of China’s Heihe River basin

The Vado Carranza dump, located in the Mexicali Valley, Baja California, northwest Mexico, was operated for more than 15 years receiving about 30 tons/day of solid wastes. The disposed wastes were periodically burned in open air. The presence of a shallow aquifer in the area makes the groundwater vulnerable to contamination processes. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of heavy metals content (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil and groundwater in the vicinity of this dump. The results indicate high content of metals in soil, mainly at a superficial level, with the highest concentrations in the areas where burning of wastes occurred. Elevated concentrations of cadmium and copper were detected in groundwater with the highest concentrations occurring in monitoring wells located in the north side of the dump, downward of groundwater flow. Although the high content of metals in soil can be attributed to the burning of waste, other sources of pollution could be the agricultural irrigation in the vicinity of the dump. The program PHREEQC was used to model the geochemical evolution of groundwater. Results suggest that evaporation of the contaminated waters circulating below the landfill is one of the key processes that explain the increased concentration of contaminants in groundwater and its seasonal variations. As groundwater flows away from the dump, evaporation can concentrate the chemicals making the water more toxic. These results are important because they illustrate processes that are likely to occur in landfills located in other desert areas of the world.     

The Role of Fracture Structure in Leachate Pollution at Landfills: A Case Study of a Landfill in Chongqing City

This paper studies a landfill where there are three faults running through. As serious pollution has occurred to the geological environment, the landfill is to be closed up and renovated. The paper aims to explore the role of fracture structure in leachate pollution at the landfill. The research was carried out in several stages. First, mathematical models of the pre-renovation landfill with three faults running through and the landfill after renovation were established. And then, the boundary conditions and parameters of the two mathematical models were determined. The groundwater level of the landfills was simulated in order to modify the two mathematical models. As a result, a feasible mathematical model was achieved. Based on this model, a comparison was made of the COD concentration variations in the inside leachate and outside leachate between the two landfills. Accordingly, the impacts of the fracture structure on the pollution of leachate at the landfills could be identified. The study results show that while faults contribute to the migration of ieachate, they also serve as a confluence of leachate, thus further deteriorating the environment. The COD concentrations of the inside leachate and the outside leachate of the pre-renovation landfill are respectively 800 mg/L and 220 mg/L higher than those of the post-renovation landfill. Therefore, measures must be taken to handle the ieachate seepage in areas where there are faults as well as the neighboring areas so as to get the environmental pollution under control.