Reduction of COD and ammoniacal nitrogen from stabilized landfill leachate by using green mussel and zeolite as composite adsorbent

ABSTRACT

Landfill leachate is a liquid generated due to rainwater percolation through the waste in a landfill or dumping site that may contain high levels of organic matter, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable, which are the major sources of water pollution. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH₃-N) contents have been relevant indicators of severity and pollution potential of landfill leachate. The reductions of COD and NH₃-N were investigated in this study using different combinations of media ratios of green mussel (GM) and zeolite (ZEO). Generally, ZEO is considered as a renowned adsorbent but with a relatively high in cost. In Malaysia, mussel shell is abundantly available as a by-product from the seafood industry, is regarded as waste, and is mostly left at the dumpsite to naturally deteriorate. Its quality and availability make GMs a cost-effective material. In this research study, leachate samples were characterized and found to contain high concentrations of COD and NH₃-N. The adsorption process was conducted to find out the best combination media ratio between GM and ZEO. The removing efficiency was determined at different amounts of composite media ratios. The optimal adsorbent mixture ratios between (GM: ZEO) of 1.0:3.0 and 1.5:2.5 were considered as a more efficient technique in removing COD and NH₃-N compared to exploiting these adsorbents individually. The optimal extenuation removal reduction was found at an approximately 65% of COD and 78% of NH₃-N. The adsorption Isotherm Langmuir model exhibited a better fit with high regression coefficient for COD (R² = 0.9998) and NH₃-N (R² = 0.9875), respectively. This means that the combination of GM: ZEO adsorption of landfill leachate in this analysis is homogeneous with the monolayer. The mixture of GMs and ZEO was observed to provide an alternative medium for the reduction of COD and NH₃-N with comparatively lower cost.

Implications: The concentration of organic constituents (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen in stabilized landfill leachate have significantly strong influences of human health and the environment. The combination of mixing media green mussel and zeolite adsorbent enhancing organic constituents (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen reduction efficiency from leachate. This would be greatly applicable in future research as well as conventionally minimizing high cost materials like zeolite, thereby lowering the operating cost of leachate treatment.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia under Research Fund E15501, Research Management Centre (RMC) UTHM, and Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology (QUEST) Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amir Detho

Amir Detho works as a Lab Engineer at Energy & Environment Engineering Department, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan. He received his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) in the year 2010 and Master of Engineering (Energy & Environment Engineering) in the year 2018 from Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. He is currently pursuing Ph.D. in Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. His current research interest includes landfill leachate/water and wastewater treatment technology. He is a registered member of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).

Zawawi Daud

Zawawi Daud works as an Associate Professor at Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. Dr. Zawawi received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Environment) from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2009. Dr. Zawawi’s research focuses on alleviating problems associated with water pollution issues from industrial wastewater and landfill leachate. His latest interest is on natural adsorbent material in water and wastewater treatments.

Mohd Arif Rosli

Mohd Arif Rosli is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. His current research interest includes landfill leachate/water and wastewater treatment technology, building services and performance; water, air, noise and indoor environmental quality. Mohd Arif holds a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. He is a member of The Clean Air Forum Society of Malaysia (MyCAS).

Halizah Awang

Halizah Awang received the Ph.D. in Educational Curriculum from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2010. Since January 2011, she has been with Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia as an Associate Professor. Her research focuses on Curriculum and Instruction in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Job and career development in TVET and teaching and learning in TVET.