ASSESSMENT OF INORGANIC POLLUTANTS LEACHING FROM WASTE IN THE PERCOLATION PROCESS

The leaching of inorganic components from granular waste can be determined by up-flow column leaching test. The study allows researcher to assess the leaching behaviour of contaminants under specified percolation conditions (dynamic conditions). Dynamic tests simulate real conditions of the leaching of contaminants in the landfill aeration area. Percolation test also enables to perform observations on how the change of the liquid to solid (L/S) ratio influences the obtained concentrations of particular components. Test conditions, including the flow rate of leachant, determine which components are quickly leached and which are released under the influence of contact with matrix. The paper presents the research results of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb i Cr) leaching from smelter waste using of column leaching test. The eluates with predetermined liquid to solid ratio (L/S = 0.1; 0.2; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 5.0; 10.0) were systematically collected. In eluates from each stage of the procedure the highest concentration of zinc and the lowest concentration of chromium were determined. The increase of heavy metals release from waste mass with increasing the L/S ratio was observed.