Occurrence and distribution of organic chemicals in two landfill leachate plumes

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 18; no. 12; pp. 953 - 961
• Main Authors: Reinhard, Martin, Barker, James F, Goodman, Naomi L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01-12-1984
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Soil and sediments pollution; Sanitary landfill; Chemical analysis; Hydrogeology; Spatial distribution; Trace compound; Plume; Soil pollution; Leachate; Solvent; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00130a011

The occurrence of reactive trace organics in leachate from landfill sites was investigated using the chloride ion as a reference. Samples of leachate were collected from existing observation wells and piezometers situated at different levels below the water table. One landfill site at North bay, Ontario was located on a complex deposit of bedded glaciofluvial sand, another at Waterloo, Ontario on a similar deposit overlying a relatively impervious clayey till. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed components of commercial, industrial and decomposing plant material. The majority of the compounds were of plant origin including aliphatic and aromatic acids, phenols and terpenes. Other compounds identified included chlorinated benzenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl phosphates, alkylphenol ethoxylates and nitrogen containing compounds. Vertical concentration profiles indicated accumulation of chlorinated solvents beneath the leachate plume. Generally, the distribution of trace organics differed significantly from that of inorganics normally used to map leachate plumes. It was concluded that more extensive mapping techniques were required.