Temporal characterization of municipal solid waste leachate

Estimates of leachate strength and its variance over time are examined to provide a management tool for forecasting the need for leachate treatment and groundwater monitoring during the active phase of landfilling. Using historical lysimeter studies, regression curves are developed characterizing leachate strength for a series of contaminants, namely, chloride, chemical oxygen demand, total phosphates, ammonia, iron, cadmium, and lead. For each of these contaminants, the time-scale for the regression curves is normalized with regard to moisture addition and refuse mass, and is presented as cumulative litres of leachate per kilogram of municipal solid wastes. Key words: leachate, leachate quality, landfill, statistical analyses, solid wastes.