Migration of Leachate from Uncollected Solid Waste Dumpsite

Abstract

This paper examines the composition and concentration of leachates from a dumpsite in Nairobi University and the variation of the concentration of the constituents of the leachate with depth. Soil samples at varying depths below the dumpsite and solid waste samples at the dumpsite were subjected to synthetic leachate precipitation in the laboratory. The composition of the leachate was then measured. TDS, total hardness, conductivity, turbidity, COD and nitrates concentration were found to decrease with an increase in depth while alkalinity, chlorides, pH and DO were found to increase as depth increased.

Keywords: Leachate, pollution, solid waste

Journal of Civil Engineering Research and Practice Vol. 5 (1) 2008: pp. 79-90