Nordic recommendation for leaching tests for granular waste materials

A leaching test procedure for granular waste materials has been developed by a Nordic expert group. The Dutch leaching test procedure, especially the column test, was chosen as a starting point, as it best fullfilled the requirements for a leaching test. Furthermore, critical test parameters in the performance of the leaching tests are discussed. The following test procedure is recommended as a Nordic leaching test procedure for granular waste materials, especially ashes and slags from energy production: (1) a column test to View the MathML source 1–2, which gives information on the composition and variations in first leachates that appears in a landfill; (2) a batch leaching test with two or possibly three leaching steps (View the MathML source 2, View the MathML source 10 cumulative and possible View the MathML source 50 cumulative), which gives a rough estimate of the leached amounts and the leaching behaviour on a landfill, and also an estimate of the long-term leaching. This test is also recommended for routine testing and for small waste amounts; (3) especially for screening: an availability test (View the MathML source 200) which gives information on the totally leachable amounts in extreme test conditions.