Characterization of the MSW leachate at Mangalore dump yard, India

Abstract

In India, solid waste generation is about 1,00,000 MT per day, of which over 90% is land filled. Landfills are nothing but dump yards without top and bottom impermeable layers. All types of wastes viz., Hazardous, Industrial and even biomedical waste are dumped in these yards. Municipal agencies, responsible for handling wastes, are constructing engineered land fills wherever additional land is available as per MSW (Handling & Management) Rules 2000. The rule stipulates the same limits for leachate discharge as that of industrial wastes. But the characteristics of leachate are not available with the authorities to decide on the system of treatment process. As new landfills are being constructed it is very essential to have a data on the MSW leachate characteristics for deciding on the best treatment method. Therefore in this study the characteristics of the leachate generating from Mangalore MSW landfill was studied during July 2004 to November 2004. pH of the leachate is on the basic side with the value around 8.1 0.2. There is no much variation in the temperature as it was 27 C during July'04 and increased only by 2 C to 29.2 C. towards the end of the study period. Total solids initially decreased from 12800 mg/L to 10300 mg/L due to post monsoon season and as the rainwater dilution decreases, the value of solids increased to 14530 ppm. Total dissolved solids gradually increased from 6700ppm to 10,530 ppm, which is very high compared to standards (2100 ppm). BOD and COD values gradually increased from 200 to 1200 ppm and 2000 to 7200 ppm respectively. This gradual increase can be attributed to the decreased amount of infiltration. These values are much higher than the stipulated standards. Copyright Enviromedia.