Chemical Effects of Selected Trace-Metals from Landfill Leachates on Ground Water Quality

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Abstract
Widespread use of landfills as disposal sites for municipal wastes has increased concern for their capacity to contaminate local ground water systems. This matter stems from the fact that potentially dangerous leachate ultimately forms in the landfill. Under favorable geohydrologic conditions, leachates may move into regions adjacent to a landfill and may also enter nearby aquifers used for drinking water. Two landfills were investigated for actual or potential impact of selected trace-metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Zn) in leachates on local ground water quality. In addition, pH, specific conductance, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were used to further identify potential hazards at these two landfills. The information obtained in this study has applicability in areas of similar geology and geography in the midwest. One landfill is in an upland area and has been out of use since 1969. The effluent from this landfill had general chemical characteristics and trace-metal content indicating its origin in an aerobic environment. As of 1984, no contamination by this landfill of surrounding local ground water was apparent. The other landfill is located in the Kansas River floodplain and was in use from 1970-82. The leachate generated contained less dissolved oxygen, more dissolved solids, more soluble trace-metals, and was more acidic than the leachate derived from the upland landfill. At the floodplain landfill, an anaerobic-aerobic environment existed immediately surrounding the area of buried refuse. There was no evidence, based on chemical constituents investigated, that the floodplain landfill posed any threat to local ground water quality as of 1984.