A Simple Method for Delineation of Leachate Plumes

Abstract

Measurement and calculation of the carbon isotopic composition of groundwater from piezometers located around a reclaimed landfill were performed in order to test the method to distinguish the piezometers localized within the contaminated area and to identify the boundaries of the leachate plume. In order to select the best method for delineation of the leachate plume it was analyzed: chemical composition, the stable carbon isotopic composition in groundwater, and the calculation of carbon isotopic composition in groundwater. Comparison of the different methods for delineation of the leachate plume indicate, that the best method appear to be method based on the measurement and calculation of the carbon isotopic composition in groundwater. The proposed method has been tested using the data from Otwock landfill (Poland), but it can also be used in other contaminated areas.

Precipitation Method for Determination of Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes to Detect Groundwater Contamination Near a Municipal Landfill

“…Such a comparison indicates differences between background water and leachate-contaminated water and hepls to delineate the area of contaminated groundwater. A good solution seems to be to compare the concentration of calcium and bicarbonates concentrations in the groundwater around the landfill [10]. Generally, this relationship indicates the areas not impacted by the landfill contamination.…”

“…Generally, this relationship indicates the areas not impacted by the landfill contamination. As discussed previously, sometimes this method is not appropriate [10]. Assuming that the landfill leachate contains high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (as a result of organic matter biodegradation), which might contaminate the groundwater, BOD/COD ratio can be used to assess the spread of the leachate plume in the aquifer [21,22].…”

“…This knowledge is crucial for a consistent interpretation the results of environmental analyses especially from polluted sites, and pollution source characterization and tracking, where there is often substantial heterogeneity of the environmental samples. Usefulness of isotope studies to assess the impact of municipal landfills on groundwater is widely discussed by many authors [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The stable isotopic methods are highly trusted and commonly uses to distinguish reaction mechanisms within the degrading compounds.…”

Environmental Consequences of Poor Landfill Management

“…Leachate migration in landfills is due to water percolation that accumulates within or below the landfills especially in unsealed landfills above aquifer [10]. A leachate is typically characterized by two factors, viz, its composition and the volume generated [11] both varies among landfills and highly influenced by type of waste, volume, age, climatic conditions, mode of operation and landfilling technology [11], [12]. The efficiency or adequacy of a landfill is in the monitoring of leachate and regular control of groundwater migration [13].…”

Pollution Plume Development in the Primary Aquifer at the Atlantis Historical Solid Waste Disposal Site, South Africa

“…Various methods can be employed to delineate leachate plumes and these were reviewed by Mukherjee et al [5]. Commonly employed methods are: monitoring of groundwater level and water quality tracers in boreholes/wells around the landfill [6,7], isotopic characterization of groundwater in piezometers installed around the landfill [8], geophysical methods [9][10][11], and modelling of transport and biogeochemical processes [12]. Although a large body of literature exists on techniques to determine the composition and delineation of leachate plumes, fewer studies were found that characterize pollution leachates over time [13] and at different groundwater depths [14,15].…”