Biogeochemistry of landfill leachate plumes

• Published in: Applied geochemistry Vol. 16; no. 7-8; pp. 659 - 718
• Main Authors: Christensen, Thomas H, Kjeldsen, Peter, Bjerg, Poul L, Jensen, Dorthe L, Christensen, Jette B, Baun, Anders, Albrechtsen, Hans-Jørgen, Heron, Gorm
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier 01.06.2001
• Subjects: dissolved organic matter; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Pollution, environment geology; Soil and rock geochemistry; heavy metals; embankments; oxidation-reduction conditions; ion exchange; ammonium; degradation; leaching; pollution; biogeochemistry; sorption; organic acids; contamination; precipitation; aquifers; dilution; landfills; organic compounds; leachate
• ISSN: 0883-2927
• DOI: 10.1016/S0883-2927(00)00082-2

Information on attenuation processes controlling pollutants in leachate-affected aquifers is culled from the literature. Emphasis is on xenobiotic organic compounds, heavy metals, inorganic macrocomponents, and dissolved organic matter. Most leachate contamination plumes are relatively narrow and do not in terms of width exceed the width of a landfill. The importance of redox zones in understanding pollutant behavior as leachate migrates away from a landfill is stressed. Dissolved organic carbon appears to serve as a substrate for microbial redox processes. Heavy metals do not pose a major pollution problem at landfills, partly due to strong attenuation by sorption and precipitation.