Models of Landfill Leaching: Moisture Flow and Inorganic Strength

Abstract

Mathematical models are applied to the movement and inorganic contamination of moisture in sanitary landfills situated above the water table. The models are based on simple well-mixed reactor concepts, and on unsaturated flow and transport in porous media. Computer simulations are obtained for laboratory-scale experimental landfills reported by others. General agreement between simulated and observed results indicates that leachate behavior is explainable in terms of fundamental transport processes. The roles of moisture retention in the landfill and dilution by infiltrating water are shown to be of primary importance in understanding and predicting leachate quantity and quality.