Author(s)

A. Gálvez, A. Ramos, M. L. Rodríguez & M. Zamorano

Abstract

Landfill leachates are currently one of the main problems associated with the elimination of wastes at landfills and one of the most polluting effluents. They have a complex composition, which includes dissolved organic matter, inorganic macrocomponents, heavy metals and xenobiotic organic compounds. Leachate characterization is thus an essential factor to be considered in the design of an effective treatment system. Samples were taken of the leachate produced in the closed cells of a landfill site at Alhendín (Granada, Spain) for a period of more than one year. The analyses performed included COD, BOD5, solids, ammonia, the main cations and anions, pH, redox potential, and conductivity. The results obtained show high concentrations of different pollutants. Leachate strength followed a seasonal pattern, which can be mainly attributed to variation in rainfall and temperatures as well as evaporation rates. We found that most of the parameters analyzed showed a close correlation. The principal component analysis was applied to the data with a view to evaluating the interrelationships between parameters. It was thus possible to describe the data in terms of only four components. Keywords: landfill leachate characterization, relationships between leachate parameters, principal component analysis. 1 Introduction The high rate of waste generation in modern industrial societies has made waste management a serious urban environmental problem. Of the various waste

Keywords

landfill leachate characterization, relationships between leachate parameters, principal component analysis.