Biochar-based Barricade and Wetland as an Integrated Landfill Leachate Treatment System

Abstract

Open dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) imposes severe environmental threats in which landfill leachate generation is considered as the predominant. This study aims on treating landfill leachate using a pilot scale biochar based barricade and wetland system. Biochar was derived from MSW of Karadiyana dumpsite, using the pyrolysis barrel method, providing approximately 500°C of pyrolysis temperature within 2 h of time duration. Characterization of biochar was done using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The wetland was constructed using a mixture of biochar and sand in 1:2 volume ratio, whereas the barricade was filled with 7.5 kg biochar and laterite. For additional removal, Canna indica was planted in the wetland. Leachate was diluted in a 1:1 ratio, allowing it to flow through the system at a rate of 10 ml/min. The analysis was continuously carried out for 7 days. The results showed 99.97, 83.95 and 92.73% removal for ammonium-N, phosphate and COD respectively. Thus, suggesting the potential upscaling of the system with further improvements through testing different ratios of biochar and leachate flow rates.