Chemical quality and indicator parameters for monitoring landfill leachate in Illinois |
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| Authors: | Thomas P Clark Rauf Piskin |
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| Institution: | (1) Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Land/Noise Pollution Control, 2200 Churchill Road, 62706 Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Evaluation of analyses of leachate for inorganic constituents, from selected landfills in Illinois indicates that leachate
quality is variable and is strongly affected by waste type and cover material. Twenty parameters were detectable in all samples,
but selenium was not detected in any of the samples analyzed. More than 98% of the mean leachate composition was comprised,
in descending order, of total alkalinity (bicarbonate plus carbonate), sulfate, sodium plus potassium, calcium plus magnesium,
chloride, and iron plus managese. Excluding iron, trace metals contributed less than one percent to the total; of these, copper,
zinc and boron were most significant.
Based on milliequivalents per liter of major constituents, approximately 73 percent of the cations and 92% of the anions fall
within the concentration range of potable waters. Heavy metals, organics, suspended matter, microorganisms, odor and color
are among the objectionable qualities of leachate which should not be present in potable waters.
In assessing the impact of leachate on ground-water quality, use of indicator parameters in place of comprehensive analyses
for routine water samples is frequently desirable in the interest of both time and economics. Availability, mobility, persistence,
analyticity and contrast of concentrations in leachate and ground water are important factors to consider in selection of
an indicator. Boron, iron, ammonia and total dissolved solids appear to be reliable parameters for indicating ground-water
pollution by leachate. Chloride and hardness may also be useful under certain conditions. Sulfate was the least reliable parameter
considered. Although many of the trace elements in leachate exceed Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Public Water Supply
Standards in more than 50% of the samples, these elements are most useful as indicators when a waste rich in trace elements
is deposited in a landfill of unfavorable hydrogeology. |
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