Investigation of Leachate Characteristics in Field-Scale Landfill Test Cells

Abstract

This paper evaluates leachate recirculation and the impact of aeration on waste decomposition rate by means of leachate quality and quantity in field-scale landfill test cells. Four landfill test cells with the dimensions of 20 m x 40 m x 5 m were constructed in Komurcuoda Sanitary Landfill, Istanbul, Turkey. Solid wastes representing Istanbul Asian side waste characteristics were landfilled in the test cells and the test cells were operated simulating anaerobic landfilling (AN-1), leachate-recirculated anaerobic landfilling (AN-2), semi-aerobic landfilling (A-1) and aerobic landfilling (A-2) methods. Alternative landfilling methods for accelerating solid waste stabilization in landfills were investigated by means of leachate quantity and quality. The study indicated that aeration (forced or natural) and leachate recirculation accelerate the biodegradation rate of the waste. High biodegradation rates of MSW eventually provide a reduction in the contaminant life span of the landfill and decrease the cost of long-term monitoring. Results show an important and rapid development in leachate quality with a reduction in the treatment costs in aerobic landfill sites. Many important advantages can thus be achieved especially in the aerobic or semi-aerobic landfill sites noting that leachate recirculation seems to be an effective solution to reduce the stabilization time and provide in situ treatment of leachate when the aerobic landfilling cannot be applicable.