Simulated Landfill Lysimeters for Evaluating Leachate Quality

Project Description: When solid wastes containing potentially hazardous constituents are disposed in landfills, the possible impact on landfill leachate quality is a concern.  Laboratory tests are available to estimate the potential leachability of a hazardous chemical from a waste in a landfill, but these tests are in many cases limited.  Landfill conditions may be very different than that simulated in the laboratory.  Simulated landfills are sometimes used to obtain a more realistic estimate of the impact of co-disposed hazardous constituents on landfill leachate quality.

UF investigators have used simulated landfill columns, or lysimeters, in previous experiments to assess leaching characteristics of construction and demolition (C&D) debris and to evaluate the impact of CCA-treated wood disposal.  As part of a project previously funded by the Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, several simulated landfills are being constructed to evaluate the potential impact of the discarded electronics on landfill leachate (see project website).  New funding has been provided by the Center to continue and expand this work.

Status:  The simulated landfills were installed in February 2004.  The lysimeters are in the process of being filled.

Investigators:  Timothy Townsend (PI), Erik Spalvins (Graduate Research Assistant)

Sponsored by: Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (www.floridacenter.org), Polk County Solid Waste Division (contact Ana Wood at AnaWood@polk-county.net)