Remediation of Simulated Landfill’s Leachate Using Waterworks Sludge and Other Conventional Materials

The possibility of utilizing waterworks sludge as byproduct from water supply treatment plant for the remediation of simulated leachate contaminated with cadmium, dissolved organic matter (COD), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) was investigated through batch study in comparison with conventional sorbents specifically activated carbon and ion-exchange resin Amberlite IR120 Na. Batch sorption experiments of single and multi-components systems were conducted to represent the acetogenic phase (pH= 5.5). Results proved that the sludge, activated carbon and ion-exchange resin are efficient sorbents for removal of cadmium, COD, and NH3-N respectively with removal efficiencies ranged from 35 to 95% for all experiments. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Kinetic data were obtained and analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo second-order equations. The sorption isotherm data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm and the monolayer adsorption capacity was found as 5.634, 14.908 and 3.938 mg/g for sorption of Cd (II) onto sludge, NH3-N onto resin and COD onto activated carbon respectively.