1.4 Health and Environmental Impacts of Wastes and Waste Management
23
A major problem from improperly managed waste in landfills is the leachate generation that causes a significant threat to the surface- and groundwater and subsequently
causing problems for plants and animals living downstream. Leachate generation, as
a result of moisture penetration existing in the waste, is a major problem for municipal
solid waste landfills. Leachate is a liquid that passes through the landfills, picks up
a variety of toxic and pollutant components and can potentially contaminate ground
and surface water [2]. The quantity of leachate generation depends on local climate
conditions, surface slope of the landfill site, cap material and surface cover materials
[46]. Leachate from a landfill mostly contains high levels of acids, organics such
as chlorinated compounds, solvents and metals. Table 1.8 presents compositions of
landfill leachates in various countries/regions.
Table 1.8 Comparison between the compositions of landfill leachates in various countries/regions
Parameter
(mg L −1 )
Taiwan a
Hong
Kong b
Kuwait c
Saudi Arabia d USA e
Germany e
Age
(Year)
10–16
11
–
2–3
–
–
pH (−)
7.03–8.50 7.2–8.4
6.9–8.2
5.94–6.32
5.1–6.9
5.7–8.1
EC (dS
m −1 )
3.58–14.16 2.5–11.8 1.2–16.9
4.25–6.32
–
–
COD
320–1340 147–1590 157.9–9400 13,900–22,350 1340–18,100 1630–63,700
K
198–778
78–416
–
2408–4622
–
–
Na
320–1342 132–743 –
4136–7770
–
–
Ca
47.2–137.5 –
5.6–122
5300–8600
254.1–2300 70–290
Mg
27.8–103
8–26
5.2–268
693–2612
233–410
100–270
Cd
<0.15
<0.02
–
<0.002
–
–
Cr
0.01–0.18 0.02–0.23 –
0.21–0.336
–
–
Cu
0.01–4.38 0.01–0.13 0–0.2
0.124–0.246
0–0.1
–
Fe
0.26–5.44 1.26–5.0 0.35–54.1
134–190
4.2–1183
8–1979
Mn
0.18–5.27 0.05–1.30 –
9.25–13.16
–
–
Ni
0.04–0.14 0.04–0.17 –
0.384–0.718
–
–
Pb
<0.02
<0.10
0–0.2
<0.04
0–0.46
–
Zn
0.04–1.61 0.13–0.39 0–4.8
0.108–0.226
18.8–67
–
V
–
0.024–0.152
–
–
As
–
1.09–1.68
–
–
Co
–
0.064–0.096
–
–
a Huan-jung et al. (2006) [47]
b Chu et al. (1994) [48]
c Al-Yaqout and Hamoda (2003) [49]
d Al-Wabel et al. (2011) [50]
e Rowe et al. (1995) [51]
23
A major problem from improperly managed waste in landfills is the leachate generation that causes a significant threat to the surface- and groundwater and subsequently
causing problems for plants and animals living downstream. Leachate generation, as
a result of moisture penetration existing in the waste, is a major problem for municipal
solid waste landfills. Leachate is a liquid that passes through the landfills, picks up
a variety of toxic and pollutant components and can potentially contaminate ground
and surface water [2]. The quantity of leachate generation depends on local climate
conditions, surface slope of the landfill site, cap material and surface cover materials
[46]. Leachate from a landfill mostly contains high levels of acids, organics such
as chlorinated compounds, solvents and metals. Table 1.8 presents compositions of
landfill leachates in various countries/regions.
Table 1.8 Comparison between the compositions of landfill leachates in various countries/regions
Parameter
(mg L −1 )
Taiwan a
Hong
Kong b
Kuwait c
Saudi Arabia d USA e
Germany e
Age
(Year)
10–16
11
–
2–3
–
–
pH (−)
7.03–8.50 7.2–8.4
6.9–8.2
5.94–6.32
5.1–6.9
5.7–8.1
EC (dS
m −1 )
3.58–14.16 2.5–11.8 1.2–16.9
4.25–6.32
–
–
COD
320–1340 147–1590 157.9–9400 13,900–22,350 1340–18,100 1630–63,700
K
198–778
78–416
–
2408–4622
–
–
Na
320–1342 132–743 –
4136–7770
–
–
Ca
47.2–137.5 –
5.6–122
5300–8600
254.1–2300 70–290
Mg
27.8–103
8–26
5.2–268
693–2612
233–410
100–270
Cd
<0.15
<0.02
–
<0.002
–
–
Cr
0.01–0.18 0.02–0.23 –
0.21–0.336
–
–
Cu
0.01–4.38 0.01–0.13 0–0.2
0.124–0.246
0–0.1
–
Fe
0.26–5.44 1.26–5.0 0.35–54.1
134–190
4.2–1183
8–1979
Mn
0.18–5.27 0.05–1.30 –
9.25–13.16
–
–
Ni
0.04–0.14 0.04–0.17 –
0.384–0.718
–
–
Pb
<0.02
<0.10
0–0.2
<0.04
0–0.46
–
Zn
0.04–1.61 0.13–0.39 0–4.8
0.108–0.226
18.8–67
–
V
–
0.024–0.152
–
–
As
–
1.09–1.68
–
–
Co
–
0.064–0.096
–
–
a Huan-jung et al. (2006) [47]
b Chu et al. (1994) [48]
c Al-Yaqout and Hamoda (2003) [49]
d Al-Wabel et al. (2011) [50]
e Rowe et al. (1995) [51]