Title: Leaching of inorganic pollutants from fresh and partially degraded Municipal Solid Waste: a lysimeter study under tropical conditions

Authors: Obuli Parthiba Karthikeyan, S. Murugesan, Kurian Joseph, R. Nagendran

Addresses: Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai – 600 025, India. ' Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai – 600 025, India. ' Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai – 600 025, India. ' Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai – 600 025, India

Abstract: Leaching behaviour of inorganic ions from fresh and partially degraded Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) under controlled dumping conditions were studied. The major inorganic ions examined, except chloride, nitrate-N and nitrite-N, showed markedly higher values for leachate from fresh waste. Toxic metal concentrations were relatively low in leachate from partially degraded waste. The low leaching actions during the dry season resulted in a smaller volume but high-strength leachate. The short-term variations in the ionic concentrations appeared to be related more to rainfall than to fundamental changes in leachate composition.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; MSW; landfills; leachate; lysimeter; controlled dumps; inorganic ions; heavy metals; inorganic pollutants; tropical conditions; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2008.016991

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.49 - 64

Published online: 03 Feb 2008 *

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