Effect of an uncontrolled fire and the subsequent fire fight on the chemical composition of landfill leachate.
Landfill leachates sampled during and after an accidental landfill fire were analysed and the levels of selected metals and chemical compounds compared to those occurring in the leachate under normal conditions. The fire at the landfill site was put out by excavation and cooling by use of water. The investigation during the fire and fire fight revealed a moderate increase in the level of nitrogen and also in pH and conductivity. Heavy metals and COD in the leachate showed considerably increased levels. In general, the determined variables appeared to normalise within one week after the fire was extinguished. It can be concluded that landfill fires extinguished by excavation may lead to elevated leachate levels of especially COD and heavy metals, but that this is only a short-term effect.
Oygard
Joar Karsten
JK
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Norway, P.O. Box 5028, N-1432 Aas, Norway. joar.oygard@ipm.nlh.no
Måge
Amund
A
Gjengedal
Elin
E
Svane
Tore
T
D005390:Fires; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009664:Norway; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D009584:Nitrogen