Tracer identification leachate: a study on landfill compositions as ideal candidate

Abstract

Landfilling is the most common method of waste disposal in Malaysia, due to the ease of the method with the least financial constraints. However, landfills in Malaysia are mostly just dumpsites, without any recirculation of leachate or treatment, which has contaminated nearby lands and water sources. Such situation not only contributes to environmental issues, but social issues as a whole. In this study, leachate from Padang Siding landfill, located in Perlis, a northern state in Malaysia was studied. The landfill involved is an active uncontrolled landfill. The main goal of this study is to provide reliable data on the leachate composition for treatment and monitoring purposes and to identify suitable tracers in leachate Leachate is collected at three points in two cycles, during the wet season and dry season.12 parameters are tested. This study has shown that the BOD5 (5 day Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of the leachate is in the range of 154.67mg/L to 526.67, highest COD(Chemical Oxygen Demand) reading of 860mg/L in leachate seepage, 870mg/L in Pond 1, and 310mg/L for Pond 2. The conductivity of the leachate is highest in Pond 1, recording 2806μS/cm, with highest total dissolved solids and DO (dissolved oxygen) in leachate seepage at 2.859g/L and 49.9% respectively. pH 14 in Pond 2 was the highest and finally, the oxidation reduction potential was lowest in Pond 1,The leachate is influenced by heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, and Cd.) The composition of the leachate and soil is analyzed using the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) and AAS(Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) analyzer.