Investigation of migration of leachate contaminants through alternative landfill liner systems

The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of natural, economic and readily available materials such as clay, bentonite, kaolin, zeolite and lime in landfill liner systems. The transport of organic and inorganic leachate pollutants to groundwater were determined, when these materials used in liner systems as solitarily or as mixtures.For this purpose, 10 laboratory scale reactors each of which has 40 cm internal diameter and 80 cm height were used. In order to replace the liner systems, the reactors were consisted of two separate parts, the bottom of which was 40 cm and the top was 40 cm, as well. The upper part was filled with leachate generating from Odayeri sanitary landfill, which is located in the European side of Istanbul city, while the bottom of the liner system was filled with pure water representing groundwater. Different sampling taps were used in each part of the reactors.Distilled water samples were analyzed for 15 day periods during the first two months of the study. After that time, groundwater samples were collected in a monthly basis for the analysis. The characterization of leachate in the upper part of the reactors was made by pH, conductivity, COD, BOD, TOC, chloride, TKN, NH3-N, phosphorus, sulphate, and phenolic compounds. pH, conductivity, TOC, CI-, TN, and phenolic compounds were analyzed in the distilled water representing groundwater samples.xviiTransport of inorganic compounds in the R3, R9 and R10 reactors were found to be significantly higher than the other reactors. However, organic compounds have been observed to transport to groundwater in all reactors. It was detected that 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,6-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TeCP, 2,3,4,5-TeCP ve 3,4,5-TCP phenolic compunds transported to groundwater greater than other phenolic compounds.As a result, It was detected that 100% kaolin, 90% clay + 10% lime ve 90% bentonite + 10% lime from alternative liner systems used in this study are not suitable for landfills. However, in order to obtain more precise results long-term analysis and monitoring studies must be carried out.Key words: Leachate, Landfill, Liner Systems, Pollutant Transfer, Phenol and Phenol Compounds Leachate,