The document lists the chemical composition of leachates from 13 hazardous waste sites located through the U.S. Based on this data, laboratory formulated 'leachates' were suggested to test liner compatibility. General observations made were: the leachates were approximately 99% aqueous and 1% organic by weight; only 4% of the total organic carbon (TOC) was characterized; of the characterized TOC, the most significant portions were organic acids and oxygenated/heteroatomic hydrocarbons. Halogenated hydrocarbons were less, but still a significant portion of the overall organics content.

Caption title. At head of title: Project summary. Distributed to depository libraries in microfiche. "July 1987." "EPA/600-S2-87-043."

"Leachate from 13 hazardous waste sites in different parts of the country was analyzed for organic and inorganic chemical content to determine patterns and to assess the feasibility of formulating synthetic mixtures representative of actual leachates. Leachates were approximately 99% aqueous and 1% organic. Less than 5% of the total organic content (TOC) was accounted for in nearly all sites; consequently recommendations for synthetic mixtures were based on a number of assumptions and compromises. Organic acids and oxygenated/heteroatomic hydrocarbons comprised the bulk of the characterized TOC with halogenated hydrocarbons present in lesser but still significant quantities."