Landfill leachate characteristics and treatment in Harbin

Landfill leachate recirculation treatment process is a promising and economic way in northeast China due to the distinct season variation. In order to study the effects of leachate recycle on leachate production, leachate quality and waste stabilization, two simulated sanitary landfill reactors, one with leachate recirculation and the other without, were placed outdoor in Harbin. The three-year experimental results indicated that leachate production was reduced by 87.6% with leachate recirculation which meant less or no facility for leachate treatment was required. Recirculation could improve leachate quality dramatically with lower TOC, COD, BOD, VFA, NH+4-N, SS and higher pH level which made leachate treatment easy. Recirculation also could enhance waste degradation and stabilization and improve the efficiency of landfill. This study confirmed that leachate recirculation was a feasible way for on-site landfill leachate treatment and waste stabilization in cold area like northeast China.