Albert Coleman

The Science behind Leachate

Typical Leachate is composed of of nitrogen, iron, organic carbon, manganese, chloride and phenols, yet the composition varies from site to site. The degree in severity of Leachate in dependant on the composition of the material in dump sites. Rainwater leaking into dump sites causes the mixture of several chemicals in a dumpsite and eventually the creation of Leachate

Newer dumpsites are more equip to dealing with Leachate as they have been installed with equipment to deal with Leachate. Newer dump sites also are more specific in the material they dispose of. They include filters called Leachate collection system that collects water that has infiltrated in landfill and contains leachate. Older dump sites on the other hand are less equip to deal with Leachate as it is a more modern day problem.

Leachate is such an important topic because of its significant effect on groundwater. Groundwater accounts of 40 percent of the population’s drinking water. Contamination from Leachate can be deadly on wildlife and on the human population. Diseases like hepatitis and dysentery can be a result of contamination from festering tank waste. Poisoning can be a outcome of toxins leaching into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater.

Long term effects such as several types of different cancers can be an effect of contamination of ground water. Some minor short term effects may include vomiting, nausea, , Legionnaire's Disease ( a respiratory disease categorized by pneumonia), headache, and dry cough, eye irritation nose irritation and diarrhea and etc.

Wildlife is also greatly affected. Areas with trees that grow by contaminated water resources show a high increase in mortality rates.

The buildup of ammonia in the first stages of landfill decomposition and afterward are very high during the life of the landfill. The concentration eventually does decrease as the Leachate removal process is executed.

Leachate is such an important topic because of its significant effect on groundwater. Groundwater accounts of 40 percent of the population’s drinking water. Contamination from Leachate can be deadly on wildlife and on the human population. Diseases like hepatitis and dysentery can be a result of contamination from festering tank waste. Poisoning can be a outcome of toxins leaching into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater.

Long term effects such as several types of different cancers can be an effect of contamination of ground water. Some minor short term effects may include vomiting, nausea, , Legionnaire's Disease ( a respiratory disease categorized by pneumonia), headache, and dry cough, eye irritation nose irritation and diarrhea and etc.Wildlife is also greatly affected. Areas with trees that grow by contaminated water resources show a high increase in mortality rates.