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Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer

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Enhanced biodegradation at the Landgraaf bioreactor test-cell.

Hans Oonk¹, André van Zomeren, Tristan C Rees-White

¹OonKAY!, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.

Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)

|April 23, 2013

Summary

Enhanced bioreactor treatment significantly reduced waste biogas potential and leaching of organic carbon and heavy metals. However, further flushing is needed to reduce inorganic components and improve leachate quality.

Keywords:

Biodegradation Hydrology Landfill Leachate Sustainable

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Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Waste Management
Bioreactor Technology

Background:

Landfill bioreactors enhance waste decomposition and reduce environmental impact.
Optimizing bioreactor conditions is crucial for effective waste treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a large-scale bioreactor demonstration for waste treatment from 2001 to 2011.
To assess the impact of enhanced biodegradation on waste properties and leachate characteristics.

Main Methods:

Utilized a 25,000m(3) test-cell bioreactor with waste homogenization, leachate recirculation, and aeration.
Conducted anaerobic biodegradation followed by aerobic treatment.
Analyzed leachate for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia (NH4(+)), and heavy metals.
Performed tracer tests to understand leachate flow paths.

Main Results:

Achieved a 95% reduction in biogas potential after four years of anaerobic biodegradation and two years of aeration.
Significantly reduced leaching potential for DOC and specific heavy metals.
Observed limited improvement in inorganic component leaching and no significant reduction in COD or NH4(+) during aeration.
Identified preferential flow paths and immobile contaminant blocks within the waste.

Conclusions:

Bioreactor treatment effectively reduces organic waste and associated heavy metal leaching.
Further flushing is necessary to address inorganic contaminants.
Preferential flow paths limit the efficiency of leachate treatment for certain contaminants.