Leachate quality of a MSW landfill

Abstract

Landfill leachate originating from a major landfill site of Greece was analyzed and changes in its quality over a period of time was investigated. The results show that the leachate contained high inorganic as well as organic polluting load. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) ranged between 3812–6489 mg/l. The organic load was not easily biodegradable and the 5‐d biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) / COD ratio was less than 0.2. The high chloride concentrations constitute a serious threat for the aquifer of the area located at Ano Liosia near Athens. Ammonia was found in high concentrations (1350 mg/l).

Key words:

• Sanitary landfill
• leachate characteristics