Characteristics of the leachate from MSW landfill, Bangalore

ABSTRACT: Bangalore city generates about 4,500 metric tons of municipal solid waste every day in that 75% is disposed in the landfill. The landfill leachate discharge may lead to serious environmental problems. Leachate may percolate through landfill liners and subsoil causing pollution of ground water and surface waters resources. The aim of this research study is to identify the characteristics of the leachate from landfill in Mavallipura. Landfill leachate contains various pollutants that can be categorized into four groups such as dissolved organic matter, inorganic macrocomponents, heavy metals, and organic compounds. The pH of the leachate is considered as alkaline as the pH is 7.6 in Mavallipura landfill leachate. The results showed that the highest metal concentration that exists in the leachate was Iron which is about of 12 ppm. BOD 3 and COD of the leachate are 1500 mg/L and 10400 mg/L, respectively. The leachate characteristics indicate favourable growth of algae in natural water contaminated with leachate with the alkaline condition and with the presence of magnesium as nutrient, which has been confirmed in the nearby surface pond.