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PCDD/DF in leachates from Korean MSW landfills
1Department of Environmental Engineering, The University of Seoul, 90 Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-430, Korea.
Chemosphere
|November 18, 2005
Summary
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DF) in landfill solids significantly influence leachate concentrations. Dissolved organic carbon drives PCDD/DF leachability, but not its association with solids.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
Background:
- Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DF) are persistent organic pollutants found in landfill leachate.
- Understanding the factors influencing PCDD/DF concentrations in leachate is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze PCDD/DF levels in Korean municipal solid waste landfill leachate (liquid and solid phases).
- To investigate the relationship between PCDD/DF and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and suspended solids (SS).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PCDD/DF concentrations in leachate liquid and solid samples from five landfills.
- Correlation analysis between PCDD/DF levels and DOC and SS concentrations.
Main Results:
- PCDD/DF concentrations in leachate ranged from 173.2 to 1329.4 pg/l (total) and 4.1 to 46.22 pg-TEQ/l.
- Solid-phase PCDD/DF levels were higher (123.2-1161.3 pg/l) than liquid-phase (50.0-383.3 pg/l) and played a major role in overall concentrations.
- Highly chlorinated congeners (HpCDD/DF, OCDD/DF) comprised over 70% of isomers.
- Liquid-phase PCDD/DF strongly correlated with DOC (R² = 0.92), indicating increased leachability.
- No significant correlation was found between DOC and solid-phase PCDD/DF (R² = 0.001).
Conclusions:
- PCDD/DF concentrations in landfill leachate are primarily governed by solid-phase content.
- Dissolved organic carbon significantly enhances the leachability of PCDD/DF from solid waste.
- Co-disposal of incinerated ash with municipal solid waste should be avoided due to high organic matter and potential for elevated PCDD/DF leachate levels.