Biochemical Evaluation of Landfill Leachate and Gas Generation Dynamics Followed by Treatment Under Actual Landfill Conditions

Abstract

Landfilling is one of the major municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal methods practiced worldwide. Though it is considered the most cost-effective means of waste disposal, poor management practices in developing countries such as India are the major cause of environmental problems such as groundwater, surface water, and air pollution. The solid waste characteristics in India, the organic fraction of waste is up to 40 to 80% depending on the income and lifestyle of the population. The current situation of landfills/open dumpsites leads to the generation of uncontrolled gases and leachate generation. Therefore, it is very challenging to describe the current and future leachate pollution of existing landfills due to the high amount of fresh organic waste and uncontrolled anaerobic biochemical processes in the landfills. In the future, the requirement for leachate and gas collection systems, operation of treatment technologies in developing countries would be safeguarded for environmental and human livelihood. Thus, quantifying leachate and gas composition from the landfill system is a prerequisite for landfill operation and treatment. Models for predicting leachate constituents as design parameters for leachate treatment, monitoring, and operation of existing and new landfills.