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LEACHATE NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS AND BACTERIAL NUMBERS FROM TWO BIOREACTOR LANDFILLS
Citation:
DavisHoover*, W J., D A. Carson*, R. B. Green, G. R. Hater, J F. Martin*, AND R. G. Kavanaugh**. LEACHATE NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS AND BACTERIAL NUMBERS FROM TWO BIOREACTOR LANDFILLS. Presented at In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation, Seventh International Symposium, Orlando, FL, 06/2-5/2003.
Description:
The U.S. EPA and Waste Management Inc. have entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to study landfills operated as bioreactors. Two different landfill bioreactor configurations are currently being tested at the Outer Loop landfill in Louisville, KY. First, a retrofitted bioreactor is operated by recirculating leachate through existing landfill cells after treatment of nitrogen in the leachate using a sequencing batch reactor. A second aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor is being tested involving an initial aerobic stage to achieve faster degradation of waste. This stage will be followed by the creation of anaerobic conditions to achieve stabilization. Leachate samples from the reactors were collected and analyzed for the different species of nitrogen. Samples were also analyzed for counts of denitrifying bacteria. A comparison of TKN and NH3 concentrations in leachate from the retrofitted reactor before and after conversion indicates an increase in the TKN: NH3 ratio. TKN and NH3 concentrations in leachates from the aerobic/anaerobic reactor in general were lower than the retrofitted bioreactor. A discussion of the nitrogen metabolism and accompanying denitrifying bacterial counts will be presented.