Title: Application of adsorbent materials to remove heavy metals in leachate from a municipal landfill treatment plant

Authors: Jonathan S. Cardoso; Marina Fernández-Delgado; Maria T. Vertonha; David Cabral; Adriano S. Silva; Fernanda F. Roman; José L. Díaz De Tuesta; Margarida Arrobas; Mónica Coca; Paulo Brito; Helder T. Gomes

Addresses: Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Industrial Engineering School, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Industrial Engineering School, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal

Abstract: To treat and reduce the heavy metals content in leachate byproducts from biological treatment in a waste treatment plant, adsorption is one of the most efficient techniques is the focus discussed in this work due the composition of those liquids which contains nutrients but also hazards. The use of different adsorbents such as activated carbon, clays, and ion-exchange resins, is studied to adequate requirements for use as commercial fertiliser according to the regulations. This study concluded that the TOC presented in the leachate fulfil the EU requirements after a simple concentration process. The experimental design results obtained for heavy metals removal from the leachate show that a suitable combination of pH of 9 and ion exchange resins, especially Lewatit TP207 with a mass ratio of 0.4 g of resin per 20 mL of leachate, could reach the heavy metal content objectives. However, the leachate cannot be used as a commercial fertiliser using only this treatment because of the lack of Cr VI specific determination, which requires a crucial and deeper study, using as a starting point the optimal conditions obtained in this work.

Keywords: leachate; fertilisers; waste; heavy metals removal; adsorbents.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2022.125612

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2022 Vol.15 No.2/3/4, pp.111 - 127

Accepted: 27 Jan 2022
Published online: 16 Sep 2022 *

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