Long-term fate of organics in waste deposits and its effect on metal release

The long-term chemical evolution in waste deposits and the release of toxic metals was investigated. The degradation of organic matter and hence the potential efflux of heavy metals in a long-term perspective was studied by defining some scenarios for waste deposits containing organic compounds, different longevity and functions of covers and different water and air intrusion rates. The scenarios were based on various transport processes as well as different landfill constructions. The rates of influx of oxygen into both saturated and partially saturated landfills have been estimated. Each scenario takes the form of a mathematical model. The starting point for all the studied cases is the humic phase, i.e. the phase after the methane production has stopped. Based on the different cases studied, it appeared that landfills where the waste is below the water table could have advantages over the other cases. Recognizing that this option is not accepted in most countries we, nevertheless, suggested it should be reevaluated. The main conclusion is that the degradation of humic matter and hence the release of toxic metals can be substantially decreased if potential build-up of hydraulic gradients are avoided and if the landfill is located below the water surface. A conceivable alternative construction would be to place it in a depression — either natural or artificial — and to construct it so that under normal conditions it would always be water-saturated.