Context
India’s ageing landfills generate large quantities of leachate, a toxic liquid formed when water percolates through decomposing waste. Poor collection, containment and treatment can contaminate soil, groundwater, wetlands and farmland.
Explanation
- Leachate forms when rainwater or moisture passes through decomposing municipal solid waste and dissolves organic and inorganic pollutants.
- Young leachate usually has high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) due to biodegradable organic matter.
- As landfills mature, the BOD/COD ratio declines, while ammoniacal nitrogen, humic substances and recalcitrant organics become more prominent.
- It may contain heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, copper and zinc, along with microplastics, pharmaceuticals and PFAS.
- Improperly lined landfills can allow contaminants to enter groundwater through leaching and percolation.
- Effective management requires impervious liners, leachate collection systems, storage ponds, drainage and appropriate treatment technologies.
- Garland drains divert surface runoff and reduce excess water entering landfill sites.
- Leachate composition changes with landfill age; therefore, treatment must follow a life-cycle-based integrated approach.
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