Title: Changes in physical, chemical and biological variables of the leachate generated from municipal solid waste subjected to saline solution application

Authors: Rafael Lourenço Thomaz Favery; Miriam Gonçalves Miguel

Addresses: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design (FEC), University of Campinas (Unicamp), Rua Saturnino de Brito, 224, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-889, Brazil ' School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design (FEC), University of Campinas (Unicamp), Rua Saturnino de Brito, 224, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-889, Brazil

Abstract: The main characteristic of Brazilian municipal solid waste (MSW) is the high organic matter content that can accelerate the biodegradation process. This study aims to analyse the physical, chemical and biological variables of the leachate generate from a Brazilian MSW confined in five lysimeters over 1,022 days. In three of the lysimeters, the MSW was subjected to application of saline solution to evaluate its effect on the leachate characterisation. As a result, the anaerobic biodegradation process of the MSW subjected to saline solution remained in the anaerobic acid phase for almost the entire monitoring period, delaying the methanogenic phase in 350 days; however not completely inhibiting the biodegradation process. Moreover, the application of saline solution resulted in a decrease of the nitrogen ammonia concentrations in the leachate, nonetheless, it increased the values of electrical conductivity and total solids, and provided the slowest and gradual decrease in chemical oxygen demand.

Keywords: anaerobic biodegradation; lysimeter; municipal solid waste; MSW; saline solution; leachate; nitrogen ammonia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.129731

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2023 Vol.31 No.1, pp.42 - 60

Received: 20 Jan 2020
Accepted: 12 Jul 2020
Published online: 22 Mar 2023 *