THE EFFECT OF MECHANICAL AND

BIOLOGICAL PRETREATMENT ON
LANDFILL LEACHATE QUALITY

B.D. BONE°, K. KNOX**, A. PICKEN° AND H.D. ROBINSON*

* Enviros Consulting Limited, Enviros House, Shrewsbury, UK

** Knox Associates, Lucknow Avenue, Nottingham, UK
° Environment Agency, Olton Court, Solihull, UK

SUMMARY: The paper discusses a research project recently completed on behalf of the UK
Environment Agency, to collect data and sample leachates from EU landfills that have received
imports of MSOR and MBP wastes. Results are presented for sanitary analyses, heavy metals,
and an extensive range of trace organic substances, from sites containing MBP wastes that have
received different degrees of composting pre-treatment. Leachates produced from MSOR wastes
have a very high polluting potential, but biological pre-treatment of these wastes can avoid the
peak acetogenic phase of decomposition, and produce leachates similar to, or weaker than those
from conventional methanogenic landfills. Effective MBP processes can also significantly
reduce concentrations of trace organics, and of ammoniacal-N in leachates. However, further
research is needed to examine the relative importance of nitrification/denitrification processes,
generation of stable, organically-based nitrogen forms, and other routes during MBP processing,
in order that appropriate reactions to remove nitrogen can be encouraged and optimised.

1. INTRODUCTION

The European Council Directive on the Landfill of Wastes 1999/31/EEC (LFD), places a
requirement on member states to draw up strategies to ensure the amount of biodegradable
municipal waste deposited at landfill progressively reduces over a 15 year period to only 35% of
the total amount produced in 1995. The LFD also requires member states to only landfill wastes
that have been subjected to treatment and incineration, leading to a reduction in their quantity or
hazard to human health or the environment. It is anticipated that Mechanical and Biological
Pretreatment (MBP), and incineration of municipal waste will increase substantially in the UK,
in order to achieve these objectives.
In 2001 the UK Environment Agency began a research project to consider the potential
impact of the Council Directive, on the quality of leachate that will be produced in future from
UK landfills (Environment Agency R&D Project P1-494). Separate papers at this conference
will present results from this project that relate to anticipated leachate quality from hazardous
waste landfills, and from landfills receiving MSW incinerator residues.
This paper presents results from investigations into the landfilling of municipal solid wastes
(MSW) that have been subjected to mechanical biological pretreatment (MBP), and the impacts

Proceedings Sardinia 2003, Ninth International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium
S. Margherita di Pula, Cagliari, Italy; 6 - 10 October 2003
 2003 by CISA, Environmental Sanitary Engineering Centre, Italy
that this has on leachate quality. Work has involved collection of data from published papers,
and from European experts in this field, and also the collection of leachate samples from a
number of European landfills that have received varying proportions of MBP wastes. A
selection of analytical data is presented, including some conclusions on the effects of MBP on
the fate of trace organic compounds, and the derivation of generic source term distributions that
can be used in groundwater risk assessments, and in the provision of appropriate leachate
management facilities at landfill sites.

2. MECHANICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PRE-TREATMENT (MBP)

Mechanical and biological pre-treatment of MSW has been required through national legislation
in a number of EU member states for several years. The perceived benefits of such pre-treatment
are:
• Reduction in the strength of leachate produced, and the quantity of landfill gas generated;
• Reduced clogging of leachate drainage systems; and
• Improved waste settlement characteristics, and a shorter timescale to waste stabilisation.
The desk study identified two broad categories of organic residues from waste pre-treatment:
mechanically sorted organic residues, and composted MSW or MSW fractions.

2.1 Mechanically Sorted Organic Residues (MSOR)

MSOR (also termed “residual wastes”) are fine fraction residues from a mechanical sorting
process, which cannot be reused or recycled. The maximum size fraction of MSOR typically
passes through a 40 mm or 100 mm screen, and the quality and proportion of MSOR will depend
on the extent to which:
• Wastes have been subject to source separation, e.g. of garden and kitchen wastes; and
• Wastes have been separated for recycling at a MRF.
Typically, the larger-size fractions discarded during the sieving process are of higher calorific
value, and are diverted for either direct incineration (preferably with energy recovery), or for the
production of refuse-derived fuels.
The high organic content, high moisture content, and small particle size of the MSOR appears
to give rise to much higher landfill gas production rates and stronger leachates. If this material is
landfilled, particularly in isolation from other waste streams, then extremely strong leachates
must be expected, that will persist for as long as, or longer than, those from conventional MSW
landfills.
With this very high pollution potential in mind, MSOR wastes have often been subjected to
various composting processes, for many years in some European countries (notably Austria,
Germany and Holland). Several good papers and PhD theses (often not translated into English)
have been published in these countries, and it was recognised that much could be learned directly
from researchers with more experience than was available than in the UK.

3. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE UK STUDY

The objectives of the study were to provide data and guidance for UK landfill operators, on the
impact which the landfilling of MSW fractions, or composted MBP wastes, might have on
leachate quality at their sites. This information is necessary to allow them to:
• Define a leachate source term for groundwater risk assessments;
 • Assess the implications of waste pretreatment on the timescales, and long-term liabilities,
of the landfilling of pretreated waste materials;
• Make appropriate and adequate provisions for leachate management, treatment and off-
site disposal;
• Consider the effects of changes in leachate quality on landfill liners and leachate drainage
blankets and systems.
The project has been undertaken as two linked phases of work. Initially data were collected from
EU experts and researchers in this field, who had undertaken studies using bench-scale
experiments, and at operational landfill sites. The assistance of these researchers has been
extremely valuable, in particular by their efforts to make available, by translation into English,
many research results not previously available to the UK. At several sites where research has
been undertaken into the disposal of MBP wastes, leachate quality data runs of 20 years or more
have been obtained. Nevertheless, in spite of these long periods of data, leachate quality results
from MBP mono-landfills are limited, because typically MBP wastes are disposed of together
with variable proportions of untreated MSW, MSOR or commercial and industrial wastes. The
co-disposal of MBP waste and MSW or organic residues (MSOR) is likely to reflect the situation
in the UK until significant infrastructure for MBP becomes available, at least locally. The
quality of the MBP waste materials themselves will also vary as consequence of:
• The extent of source-separation, for example of food and garden wastes;
• The waste inputs (e.g. urban or rural source, summer or winter collection);
• Type of mechanical pre-treatment; and
• Type and duration of biological treatment.
The second phase of the project involved the detailed chemical analysis of samples of leachate
taken from actual European landfills that have received a high proportion of inputs of MBP
wastes. Samples have been analysed for detailed sanitary parameters and major ions, heavy
metals, and an extensive range of 65 trace organic compounds.
Seven landfills in two EU member states were visited during 2002, and nine samples of
leachate obtained in conjunction with the operators and researchers. The detailed final report of
the study has recently been completed (Environment Agency, 2003a).

4. LEACHATES FROM MBP LANDFILLS

4.1 Published Data
Many detailed studies have demonstrated the very strong leachates that are generated when
untreated MSOR are landfilled. A typical research project undertaken by Woelders and Oonk
(1999) looked at the behaviour of MSOR in a large-scale flushing bioreactor cell, and found that
although initial COD values in excess of 60,000 mg/l had fallen to below 20,000 mg/l within
2 years (BOD5 from above 40,000 mg/l to below 10,000 mg/l), concentrations of Kjeldahl-N
showed little change – remaining at about 4,000 mg/l throughout the period, and chloride
increased from 5,000 to more than 6,000 mg/l.
Other studies have looked at the benefits of composting MSOR, in terms of reductions in
pollutant emissions. Leikam and Stegmann (1999) studied the behaviour of composted MSOR
wastes in landfill simulation tests, in comparison to untreated MSOR. For treated MSOR, the
acetogenic phase during which strong organic leachate is produced was absent, and after about
250 test days the COD of the leachate was below 1,000 mg/l (BOD5 <20 mg/l). A much more
significant benefit of pre-treatment becomes apparent when concentrations of total-N (primarily
ammoniacal-N) are considered. Whereas the total-N content in leachate from untreated residual
waste stabilised at about 1,000 mg/l, this value was below 200 mg/l for pre-treated wastes.
Nevertheless, in terms of L/S ratio, a trial period of 250 days corresponds to a period of about 50
years for a 20m deep landfill, with an annual infiltration rate of 250 mm, or significantly longer
if the site was capped. Table 1 contains basic summary data, from published sources, for
leachates from landfilled MSOR, and from MSOR that has been pretreated by various
combinations of composting.

Table 1. Basic leachate quality summary for leachates from landfills/test cells containing
untreated MSOR, and MSOR subjected to various composting regimes
Waste Inputs MSOR Composted MSOR, various sources
Composting (weeks)
intensive 0 0 4 4 2 16 3
secondary 0 0 9 43 1 8 19
COD 172000 19400 2780 1170 540 4000 1900
BOD5 123000 9400 52 9 158 111 14
ammoniacal-N 3965 4200 197 11 56 292 340
chloride 9100 6500 11300 6900 5700 6200 4100
chromium 0.41 1.3 0.14 0.04 0.03 0.21 0.09
nickel 2.10 0.45 0.23 0.71 0.16 0.40 0.09
copper 1.41 0.33 0.71 0.80 0.28 0.52 0.18
zinc 102 0.56 3.4 1.0 0.22 1.6 1.2
Notes: • all results in mg/l
• table based on data from Danhamer and Jager (1999) and others

The results are typical of many other data, showing the very high strength leachates generated by
untreated MSOR when landfilled, and also demonstrating the improvement in leachate quality
achieved by various degrees of composting pre-treatment – widely observed to be capable of
removing the initial strong organic leachates generated during the acetogenic stage of
degradation, leading to a more rapid onset of methanogenic conditions.
It is clear that the degree of composting achieved, and the efficiency of individual composting
processes, cannot be determined simply based on the duration of intensive and secondary
composting being carried out at each location. For example, at one site only two weeks of
intensive, and a further week of secondary composting are applied, on paper the least, but in
practice this achieves substantial improvements in leachate quality. Key findings from these and
other published studies on leachates from landfilled MBP wastes are therefore that:
• Organic residues from mechanical sorting (MSORs) can produce leachates with higher
pollution potential than both acetogenic and methanogenic leachates from conventional
landfills;
• Composting such residues can reduce the organic pollution potential from both leachate and
landfill gas, through the avoidance of the peak acetogenic phase of decomposition;
• Concentrations of ammoniacal-N in MBP leachates can be either similar to, or much lower
than, methanogenic leachates from conventional landfills. This raises the possibility that a
nitrogen removal or attenuating process may operate, to varying extents, during composting;
• Landfills receiving MBP wastes will pose a risk to groundwater similar to conventional MSW
landfills that have become methanogenic, and are therefore likely to require a similar period
of time before active management and treatment of leachates ceases to be necessary.
4 2 The Sampling Exercise
Results from the sampling of leachates at EU landfills have been summarised below, full results
being contained in the final report of the study (Environment Agency, 2003a). Samples were
obtained in two separate visits, during February and July 2002, and sites have not been
identified. In all instances, samples of leachate were obtained from boreholes, sumps, or
pipelines which were frequently and routinely pumped, to avoid sampling of stagnant leachates.
No samples were filtered or specifically settled in any way – the intention being to represent, as
fairly as possible, the overall quality of leachate that might realistically be discharged from such
a site. In practice, levels of suspended solids were relatively low in all samples.
At each sample point, various subsamples were taken. A range of sanitary parameters and
metals was determined in samples delivered rapidly to laboratories in the UK in PET bottles,
metal samples being preserved by on-site addition of hydrochloric or nitric acids as appropriate.
For determination of trace compounds and elements, the UK Pollution Inventory List was used
as a basis for an analytical suite to be determined by the laboratories of SAC Scientific (SAC) in
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, UK. SAC had previously been used to undertake determination of
Red List Substances, as part of a large sampling and review exercise into leachate quality at UK
Landfill Sites, undertaken during the period 1990-1996 on behalf of the UKDoE/EA (Robinson,
1996). They had also undertaken specialised analyses as part of major studies to look at
Pollution Inventory discharges to sewer or surface waters from landfill leachates (Environment
Agency, 2001; 2003b). In fact, following preparation of that report, and completion of this
sampling work, the list of substances to be reported under the UK Pollution Inventory was
subsequently increased from 65, to nearly 100 (Environment Agency, 2003b).
Samples for trace analyses were taken into various prepared sample bottles, and despatched
by courier to SAC, to arrive within 48 hours of having been obtained. Subsamples were also
taken on behalf of the laboratories of the UK Environment Agency, to assist them in progressing
a GCMS water sample rapid screening methodology, to be used in the application of Regulation
15 of the UK Waste Management Licensing Regulations, 1994.
Landfills selected were inevitably constrained by available sites, which could be included
within the two short and intensive sampling visits. Nevertheless, a great deal was achieved, with
help from many landfill operators and researchers from different countries.
The categories of site from which leachate samples could be obtained are presented below in
Table 2. The table also indicates the extent of historic data for basic leachate chemistry that was
available from the site operator, at each location where a sample was obtained.

Table 2. General description of the categories of landfill site from which MBP leachate
samples were obtained
Waste Input Type Young Wastes (<5 years) Old Wastes (>5 years) Period of Historic Data (1)
MSOR no samples (2) Sample #1 14-23 years
(3) Sample #4 5-27 years
>50% MBP no samples
Sample #2 10-18 years
Sample #7 NA
Sample #6 0-3 years
>90% MBP
Sample #5 NA
Sample #3 NA
Notes: (1) Extent of historic leachate quality data available at sampling location used. Not always covering a period
to date. Years represent period since waste disposal began in that cell.
NA = not available
(2) No sample of leachate available from freshly emplaced MSOR. Primarily because direct landfill of
untreated MSOR has rarely been practised in recent years
(3) Sites receiving more than 50 percent, but less than 90 percent, of MBP waste inputs. Sample #4 from a
site receiving 80 percent MBP, and Sample #2 from one receiving 50-60 percent MBP
Analytical results for sanitary parameters and metals are presented in Table 3, and a general
summary of data for trace organic compounds is presented in Table 4.

Table 3. Results for sanitary parameters and metals in leachates sampled during this study
Waste Inputs MSOR Composted MSOR, various sources
Composting Passive Passive Turned Turned Container +
None Container
processes windrows windrows windrows windrows windrows
Sample number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Period (weeks)
Intensive 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Secondary 0 12 30 25 8 0 30
COD 15590 582 4670 228 1620 869 1020
BOD20 7840 >157 843 82 130 59 24
BOD5 4240 46 202 3 35 6 3
TOC 4694 180 1480 78 543 308 340
fatty acids (as C) 707 <20 <10 <20 <10 <10 <10
ammoniacal-N 4024 195 1130 286 197 34.2 1.8
oxidised-N <1 10.3 <1 16.1 <1 7.3 5.0
phosphate (P) 8.2 1.1 12.4 0.3 2.8 0.4 0.3
sulphate (SO4) 423 433 117 18 449 414 878
chloride 6000 612 2270 384 2290 901 1090
NH4-N/cl ratio 0.671 0.319 0.498 0.745 0.086 0.038 0.002
conductivity 39400 4960 14000 3210 9540 4860 5900
alkalinity 1740 879 6120 1100 2010 1670 895
pH-value 8.3 8.1 8.3 7.9 7.9 8.4 8.5
sodium 4080 509 1520 419 1250 622 789
magnesium 77 91 88 47 104 64 67
potassium 1310 328 728 211 777 393 387
calcium 27 122 176 84 329 232 255
chromium 13100 110 870 <50 <250 <250 <250
manganese 380 460 1380 320 2940 1450 1610
iron 4310 960 19500 1050 13900 2590 1310
nickel <100 30 210 <10 <50 <50 <50
copper 325 22 374 6 89 55 152
zinc 174 115 1032 <5 232 225 705
cadmium <60 <6 <30 <6 <30 <30 <30
lead <500 <50 <250 <150 <250 <250 <250
arsenic <50 18 61 <10 <10 <1 <10
mercury <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 <1
Notes: • Heavy metals and iron in µg/l; Alkalinity expressed as mg/l of CaCO3
• All other results in mg/l, except pH-value and conductivity (µS/cm), and where shown
• Alkalinity expressed as mg/l of CaCO3

Historic leachate quality data, where available, were useful in placing the single leachate samples
obtained in a context of the history of leachate quality at the site, since wastes were initially
emplaced. For example, Figure 1 presents historic data for leachate quality at the location where
Sample 1 was taken – where untreated MSOR wastes emplaced between 1979-1991 continue to
produce a strong organic leachate (COD >10,000 mg/l, BOD5 2,000-6,000 mg/l), some 20+
years later.
 H R 5 C O D and B O D

35000
COD
30000

25000
COD & BOD (mg/l)

20000

15000

10000
BOD

5000

0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
T im e

H R 5 A m m o n ia c a l-N a n d C h lo rid e

10000

9000 C h lo rid e
Ammoniacal-N & Chloride (mg/l)

8000

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000
A m m on ia c a l-N
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
T im e

Figure 1. History of leachate quality data where Sample 1 was taken in 2002, following
emplacement of untreated MSOR during the period 1979-1991

Table 4. Results for trace organic compounds in leachates sampled

Waste Inputs MSOR Composted MSOR, various sources…………………………………………
Composting Passive Passive Turned Turned Container +
None Container
processes windrows windrows windrows windrows windrows
Sample number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Period (weeks)
Intensive 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Secondary 0 12 30 25 8 0 30
Trace organics
AOX 6064 366 790 213 1500 180 370
mecoprop 120 13 7.9 < 0.47 < <
triazine herbicides < 1.1 < < < < <
uron herbicides < 0.69 < < < < <
PCBs < < < < < < <
BTEX < < < < < < <
PAH < < 2.6 1.8 < < <
organo P pesticides < < < < < 0.34 0.27
Organo Cl pesticides 0.33 < < < 0.29 < <
VOCs < < < < < < <
Phenols 210 1.3 < < < < <
Notes: • Results in µg/l • < = below detection limit
As a comparison, Table 5 summarises basic leachate quality data for the site where Sample 7
was taken – where MSOR had been subjected to intensive composting processes since landfill
disposal began during 1997. Where available, the historic leachate quality data also gave
confidence that representative samples had been obtained for more specialised analyses as part of
this study. Data from the sampling exercise strongly confirm those obtained from the initial
literature studies, and from contact with other EU researchers.

Table 5. Mean leachate quality data for the landfill where Sample 7 was taken during 2002,
following landfilling of intensively composted MSOR from 1997 (results in mg/l)
Year Half COD Ammoniacal-N
1997 I - -
II 500 25
1998 I 1200 60
II 1400 35
1999 I 1500 35
II 1200 25
Sample #7 (mid 2002) 869 34

Results confirm that landfilling of untreated MSOR wastes, which generally comprise the most
putrescible fractions of household waste, has potential to generate very strong leachates, within
very bioreactive landfill sites. Concentrations of ammoniacal-N in the range 4000-6000 mg/l are
typical in leachates from such sites, and were sampled in this study. In many ways, the co-
disposal of sewage sludges with MSW provides similar landfills, and similar leachates, although
evidence from this study demonstrated that inputs of sewage sludge can lead to high
concentrations of some heavy metals in leachates. In particular, chromium (to 13,100 µg/l),
nickel (to 180 µg/l) and copper (to 325 µg/l) would need to be considered particularly, when
looking at leachate treatment options.
It has been our experience that in recent years, few landfills are now receiving significant
inputs of untreated MSOR wastes, which instead are being composted, to at least basic levels.
At landfills which received a substantial proportion of MSOR wastes which have been subjected
to composting processes, as part of MBP processes, the impact which this had on leachate
quality was related to the effectiveness, intensity, and duration of composting, as one might
imagine. Nevertheless, determination of the efficiency of the overall composting process, in
terms of reductions in potential for release of contaminants from landfilled products, is not a
simple matter. It is not clearly defined, simply by measures of the periods during which waste
fractions are subjected to intensive and secondary treatment, but depends on the specific nature
of these treatments, as well as on the original MSOR waste stream.
Representative leachate samples, obtained from various landfills, nevertheless demonstrated
that when effective state-of-the-art composting processes are undertaken on residual wastes, the
landfilling of such products can produce a substantial reduction in bioreactivity, and
consequently the generation of more stable and weaker leachates. BOD5 values can be as low as
<10 mg/l, even in leachates from wastes deposited only a few months or years ago, and
concentrations of ammoniacal-N can be in the order of those found in domestic sewage (<40
mg/l), and even <5 mg/l at very successfully composting plants.
Significant COD values (to 1000 mg/l or above) were, however, found in leachates from even
the best MBP composting processes examined and sampled, and it remains to be determined
over how many years, or decades, such leachates would continue to arise, from landfills
containing MBP wastes that have been subjected to state-of-the-art composting processes.
The initial review of data from Europe produced few analytical results for trace organic
substances in leachates from landfilled MBP wastes. In spite of the extensive suites of trace
organic substances that were determined in leachate samples as part of the present study,
relatively few were detected at any significant levels in any leachate. Mecoprop (MCPP), an
acid herbicide which is relatively degradable by aerobic biological processes, but resistant to
equivalent anaerobic processes, has been found to be present extensively in leachates from MSW
landfills in the UK (see Environment Agency, 2001). It was also commonly found in leachates
from equivalent EU landfills sampled as part of this study.
Of particular interest, however, was the fact that at landfills where MBP wastes had been
subjected to more-efficient composting processes, it was apparent that mecoprop was not
detected in leachates from the landfilled products, and indeed that the extent of removal of
mecoprop from leachates appeared to be a good surrogate measure of the efficiency of the
composting process itself, to which the wastes had been subjected.

5. BEHAVIOUR OF NITROGEN COMPOUNDS DURING MBP PROCESSES

Of particular importance in the future, when MBP processes are being designed to effect
composting of residual wastes, will be considerations related to the fate of nitrogen within the
composting process itself. In the past, when “green wastes” have been composted, or when there
has been an assumption that composted products will be of value as fertilisers or soil improvers,
the presence or removal of ammoniacal-N, or organic nitrogen which may ultimately give rise to
it, has not been a concern to composters and has generally provided a benefit to users.
In the UK, where concerns about Foot and Mouth Disease, and BSE, remain fresh, and
potential for transmission of such diseases via food wastes is a serious issue, this will not remain
the case. During coming years, increasing proportions of household waste fractions will
inevitably be subjected to MBP processes, not to provide composts for agricultural/horticultural
use, but rather to meet pre-treatment requirements of the EU Landfill Directive, to reduce inputs
of organic wastes into landfills, and to minimise greenhouse gas and other emissions from those
landfills. In such circumstances, removal of nitrogen during the composting process will become
a key element in minimising long-term emissions of ammoniacal-N in leachates.
Few research data have been published regarding the fate of nitrogen during composting of
MSW fractions, and mechanisms involved are not clearly understood, although the effects of
composting processes on subsequent emissions of ammoniacal-N in leachates from the landfilled
product are evident, from other published data, and from this study. It can be seen clearly in
Table 3, that where waste receive more intensive MBP, ratios of ammoniacal-N to chloride in
leachates can be reduced dramatically. The extent to which total removal occurs during the
composting process itself, or whether composting may mineralise nitrogen compounds to
nitrates, which are subsequently reduced to nitrogen gas within an anoxic/anaerobic landfill, has
not yet been well-established.
Work by Leikam et. al. (1997) investigated injection of air as a remedial technique for old
landfills, and in pilot-scale trials demonstrated dramatic reductions in TKN concentrations,
although no oxidised nitrogen was found in the leachate from the two aerated lysimeters. Work
by Heiss-Ziegler and Lechner (1999) has demonstrated the stability of nitrogen-containing
organic substances, such as humic acids formed during composting processes, which may also
play a key role in minimising emissions of ammoniacal-N from MBP wastes in landfills.
Results for Kjeldahl nitrogen in leachates sampled during the present studies were
inconsistent, sometimes (especially at higher concentrations) being determined at values less
than those obtained for ammoniacal-N. Any calculation of a figure for “organic-N”, as the
difference between the two values was therefore unhelpful. Future research must seek to
confirm the relative importance of nitrification/denitrification, generation of stable, organically-
bound forms of nitrogen, and other routes during MBP of waste fractions, in reducing long-term
emissions of ammoniacal-N from landfilled wastes, in order that appropriate processes can be
encouraged and optimised during waste pre-treatment.

6. CONCLUSIONS
This project has confirmed existing knowledge related to the very high strength organic leachates
generated when MSOR fractions of household wastes are landfilled without pre-treatment –
these can typically be from twice to four times as strong as equivalent leachates from MSW
landfills, and high organic strengths can persist for at least several decades. Efficient MBP of
the MSOR fraction can considerably reduce the organic strength of leachates, avoiding the
acetogenic phase, and more rapidly producing leachates similar to those from MSW landfills in
methanogenic phases of decomposition.
Nevertheless, levels of “hard” COD in these leachates, not readily biodegradable by aerobic
or anaerobic processes, are typically at least as strong as, and often stronger than those found in
methanogenic leachates – often in the range 1000 to 4000 mg/l, in spite of BOD values which
are frequently less than 100 mg/l.
Concentrations of ammoniacal-N and Kjeldahl-N in MBP leachates may be significantly
lower than those from conventional MSW landfills, but the extent to which this occurs is
variable, and not easily related to the design of specific composting and pretreatment processes.
The biochemical transformations involved are not well understood, and the influence of
nitrification/ denitrification, incorporation within stable organic fractions (possibly related to the
elevated “hard COD” values), and other processes, require further research.
An outline source-term spreadsheet, for concentrations of sanitary parameters and metals in
leachates from MSOR and MBP wastes, has been prepared (see Table 6), to be used as a generic
database for groundwater risk assessments, and as a tool to allow appropriate leachate
management schemes to be developed at landfills that will receive MBP wastes.
Few data are available on the presence of potentially harmful trace organic substances in
leachates from MBP waste landfills, to allow these to be compared with data from conventional
MSW sites. This study has obtained preliminary results, based on a programme of sampling at
EU landfills. As at MSW sites, few trace organic compounds are present, but for those which
have been measured at significant concentrations (e.g. mecoprop), evidence from this study is
that effective composting processes are able to reduce concentrations significantly.
In the case of mecoprop, this is generally present at significant levels in leachates from MSW,
and was present at up to 120 µg/l in leachates from landfilled MSOR. However, it was absent,
or present at very much lower concentrations, in leachates from composted residues. In practice,
the extent of removal of mecoprop from leachates, may well be a good surrogate measure of the
efficiency of the composting process itself, to which waste fractions have been subjected.
Similarly, AOX values were very much lower in leachates from composted wastes, although
there is doubt as to whether this is of any value in assessing risk from any specific trace organic
compounds in these leachate samples.
In general terms, many landfills receiving MBP wastes will continue to pose risks to
groundwater, and require aftercare periods similar to conventional MSW landfills that have
become methanogenic. There is no doubt that MBP processes have potential to reduce both
organic strength, and concentrations of ammoniacal-N in leachates from such landfills, as well as
the total mass release of these and other contaminants. However, even at such landfills, the
extent to which timescales over which leachates will require management can be reduced
significantly, remains to be determined.
Table 6. Source-term spreadsheet for ranges of concentrations of sanitary parameters and metals
in leachates from landfilled MSOR and MBP wastes
Degree of Composting NONE HIGH LOW-MEDIUM
Stage of Sampling acetogenic methanogenic initial later general range
determinand
pH-value 6 8 7.5 8 7.5 – 8.5
conductivity (µS/cm) 40000 40000 6000 10000 10000 - 20000
COD 150000 10000 2000 1500 1000 - 5000
BOD5 100000 4000 50 30 20 – 200
TOC 50000 4000 500 500 500 - 2000
chloride 8000 6000 1000 2000 4000 – 8000
sulphate (as SO4) 1000 400 500 500 1000 – 5000
phosphate (as P) 10 20 0.5 3.0 1.0 – 15
alkalinity (as CaCO3) 20000 18000 1000 2000 2000 – 6000
ammoniacal-N 4000 4000 30 200 50 - 1000
Kjeldahl-N 4200 4200 40 - 100 - 1300
total oxidised-N <1 <1 5 <1 <1
sodium 4000 4000 800 1200 2000 - 4000
magnesium 1000 100 60 100 100 – 400
potassium 2000 2000 400 800 1000 - 2000
calcium 6000 50 250 300 100 – 800
chromium 0.6 5 0.05 0.1 0.1 – 0.5
manganese 1.0 0.5 2 3 1-2
iron 300 5 2 10 5 – 20
nickel 1 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 – 0.7
copper 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 – 0.5
zinc 10 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.5 – 3.0
cadmium 1 <0.001 0.003 0.003 0.005 – 0.1
lead 0.3 <0.1 0.02 0.04 0.1 – 0.4
arsenic 0.04 0.1 0.004 0.006 0.01 – 0.1
mercury 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 – 0.01
Notes: • All results in mg/l except pH-value, and conductivity (µS/cm)
• Results represent typical values, derived from a range of source data
• Initial stage for leachates from wastes with high MB pre-treatment typically represents up to 2 or 3
years

8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DISCLAIMER

The assistance of European landfill operators and researchers, in providing data, discussion of
results and arranging access to the landfills is gratefully acknowledged. This research (R&D
Project P1-494) was funded as part of the UK Environment Agency’s Waste Regulation &
Management Research programme.
The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the EA. Its officers, servants or
agents accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or
use of information, or reliance upon views contained herein.

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