A small‐scale field experiment was carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of using septic system ‐type infiltration beds for on‐site treatment of landfill leachate. Using an infiltration bed with a 3‐m‐thick vadose zone of medium sand, and loaded at a rate 01 18 cm/day, a treatment efficiency of >99 percent was obtained for Fe, 94 percent for NH4+, and 54 percent for dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Attenuation occurred during one‐ to two‐day residency in the aerobic vadose zone (pore gas O2 > 12 percent by volume) as a result of oxidation reactions that caused nitrification of NH4+, convened Fe2+ to Fe3+ allowing subsequent precipitation of sparingly soluble Fe oxyhydroxide minerals, and biodegraded DOC. Attenuation of an aerobically degradable trace volatile organic compound (dichlorobenzene) was also noted, although other less degradable compounds (trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene) persisted.
Fe mineral precipitation caused a discontinuous hardpan layer to occur in the zone immediately below the infiltration pipes. However, this layer did not become impermeable or continuous enough to significantly impede infiltration during the 82‐day experiment.
Advantages of this technology for leachate treatment are that it is low cost, it is simple to construct and operate. and treatment occurs on‐site, avoiding the cost of transporting leachate off‐site for treatment.
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