Pollutant transformations in landfill layers

The behaviour of pollutants, in particular organic carbon and nitrogen, in solid waste landfill layers and factors affecting their decomposition have been studied using four large scale simulated lysimeters in four landfill thicknesses, and operated under semi-aerobic conditions. This paper presents about 800 days of data through November 1991. Data in this study indicate that the thicker solid waste layer has lower production rates of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Nitrogen (T-N) than does the thinner layer. If the layer, however, becomes too thick, no significant increase in the removal rate of T-N is observed, as nitrogen is leached out in the form of NO₃^--N without being demitrified at the bottom of the landfill layer. It is also assumed that temperature and pH in the landfill layer play important roles not only in microbial degradation, but also in dissolution of organic carbon and nitrogen.