Characterisation of the recalcitrant organic compounds in leachates formed during the anaerobic biodegradation of waste

Abstract

This study investigates the use of UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to assess the early development of recalcitrant organic compounds in leachates formed during the anaerobic biodegradation of municipal solid waste. Biochemical methane potential tests were carried out on fresh waste (FW) and composted waste (CW) over a period of 150 days and leachates produced from the degradation of two wastes were analysed for humic-like (H-L) and fulvic-like (F-L) structures by UV spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation-emission-matrix analyses. During anaerobic biodegradation, the synthesis and utilization of H-L and F-L structures in the leachates over time was indicative of the generation of the recalcitrant organic compounds. The results obtained from UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy suggested that CW leachates resulted in a higher concentration and more condensed form of recalcitrant H-L and F-L molecules than FW leachates. These findings demonstrate how fluorescence and UV absorption spectroscopy can be used as an indicator for monitoring the evolution of recalcitrant organic compounds (H-L and F-L substances) in leachates formed at different stages of waste biodegradation.

A comparison study of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles for organic contaminants degradation under low-power UV-A lamp

“…ocussed the pollutiom of environment [1][2][3]. These recalcitrant organic compounds often accumulate in the human body, organisms, and cause acute and chronic poisoning [4]. There are many methods to remove these compounds in water, such as precipitation deposition, biological, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and physical treatments.…”

Particle Size Distribution in Municipal Solid Waste Pre-Treated for Bioprocessing

“…The waste used was obtained from Otterbourne transfer station (Otterbourne, Hampshire, UK), which is operated by Veolia Hampshire Ltd. and serves residential kerbside collections from Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester. Various aspects of the management of waste from Otterbourne transfer station have been studied by a number of researchers [46][47][48][49][50]. Hampshire was the location of a ground-breaking waste management partnership between 13 local authorities and contractor Veolia Environmental Services; this aimed to provide sustainable integrated waste management for all domestic waste in the county.…”

Descarte de Lixiviado de aterros sanitários em estações de tratamento de esgoto: uma análise crítica

“…Também concluíram que nos aterros com maior tempo de operação (20 a 10 anos) houve predomínio de contaminantes com menor massa molecular (< 1kDa), que provavelmente podem ser mais facilmente biodegradados -embora também tenha sido detectada fração significativa de componentes com alta massa molecular (> 100 kDa). Yunus et al (2011), empregando técnicas de análise de lixiviados por meio de absorção de radiação ultravioleta e espectroscopia (fluorescência), investigaram a geração de compostos orgânicos recalcitrantes e sua presença em lixiviados decorrentes da degradação anaeróbia de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Foram empregados dois tipos de amostragem; uma delas constituída de resíduos logo após a sua coleta, e outra, que foi preparada mantendo-a, previamente, sob co--compostagem (com cerca de 36,51% de grama) em ambiente aeróbio, durante 42 dias.…”