A study on the appearance of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in leachate treatment processes

The presence of PCDDs/DFs, PCBs and PAHs in the adsorbed or dissolved phases (depending on the leachate treatment process) was investigated in two landfills in Japan (Landfill M and Landfill N). The results of the investigations showed that, in general, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) having high Kow such as PCDDs/DFs and PCBs tended to exist in the adsorbed phase in both Landfill M and Landfill N. Furthermore, it was confirmed that their presence depended on log Kow by the appearance of PAHs.