An economic analysis of leachate purification through willow-coppice vegetation filters.
In this study an economic analysis of the purification of integrated solid waste treatment facility leachates through a willow-coppice (Salix) vegetation filter in southern Sweden was carried out. Calculations were based on the use of two computer models that were initially used in estimating a pump-and-pipe irrigation system for a 36-ha willow-coppice plantation to purify an average annual quantity of 195,000 m(3) of leachate with an average nitrogen content of 24 g/m(3). Results showed that facility leachates could be purified at US dollars 0.34/m(3) compared with US dollars 0.62/m(3) for that of conventional leachate treatment at a wastewater treatment plant. Furthermore, results revealed that the increased income from willow growing and sale of the biomass chips represented only a small factor in the overall cost of the purification technique--decreasing purification costs to US dollars 0.326/m(3). Sensitivity analyses also demonstrated that, because of the large leachate holding pond expense, only a fraction of facility leachate should be treated through a vegetation filter.
Rosenqvist
Håkan
H
Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7013, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Ness
Barry
B
D016468:Forestry; D018803:Models, Economic; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D032108:Salix / Q000378:metabolism*; D013548:Sweden; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical