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Effect of Leachate Flow Rate on Metal Migration Through Soil
Author(s) -
Alesii B. A.,
Fuller W. H.,
Boyle M. V.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1980.00472425000900010026x
Subject(s) - leachate , effluent , soil water , municipal solid waste , metal , soil contamination , environmental chemistry , trace metal , environmental science , environmental engineering , chemistry , pollutant , flux (metallurgy) , waste management , soil science , organic chemistry , engineering
Natural municipal solid waste leachates individually enriched with Be, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn were used to prefuse nine soils representing seven major soil orders. Soil columns under anaerobic saturated conditions and flow rates of leachate were regulated to deliver precise fluxes ranging from 1 to 15 ml/hour. Effluent from the columns was collected at the end of each hour and analyzed for the presence of the metal ions being studied. Solution displacements continued until the concentration of the metal in the effluent equalled that of the influent. In general, the slower the rate of flow of the solid‐waste leachate, the greater was the attenuation of the metal ions in solution. Flux significantly influenced the attenuation of Al, Be, Cr(VI), and Fe(II) in all soils, but was of little importance for Cd, Ni, and Zn. The concentration of the trace or heavy metal (such as Cd) in the leachate influenced the absolute amount retained by the soil more than any single factor except, perhaps, clay content. Flux control appears as one of several modification techniques to minimize movement of pollutants from solid waste operations. By renovating the soil, lining the excavation, and compacting it to known densities, flow rate of leachates from solid waste disposal sites is controlled.