There are over 3,700 active and decommissioned municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill sites located in Ontario (MOE, 1991). Under current legislation, these landfill sites must be rehabilitated to a defined end use when decommissioned. In Ontario, the primary prescribed end use of closed landfills is typically agriculture, and that end use can lead to food-consumer concerns, due to the perceived risk of potential contamination from legacy materials found in landfills. Converting these sites to produce biomass-energy crops instead of food crops could mitigate that concern and also help to avoid the current controversy with bioenergy-crop production on high-capability agricultural land. In this study, a 3.5-year field program with subsequent verification and analysis investigated and developed rehabilitation prescriptions using locally obtained topsoil and soil-forming materials (subsoil) to develop anthropogenic soil profiles on top of a sealed landfill cover (clay cap). These prescriptions provided crop productivity at least as good as, and generally better than, local agricultural soils. Mixed forages and biomass-specific crops (warm season grasses) were grown on these soils in replicated plot trials to evaluate the efficacy of a range of soil treatments. Following establishment of technical feasibility for site rehabilitation, economic modeling was conducted to determine the feasibility of using these anthropogenic soils for the production of forage crops, biofuel feedstock, and simple energy products at a scale consistent with typical landfill sites in Ontario. An economic model was developed to aid proponents in selecting appropriate rehabilitation methods and to assess potential bioenergy-crop outputs for their site. This study demonstrated that while it is technically feasible to rehabilitate these waste sites to produce agricultural crops and/or biofuel feedstock, the scale of typical landfill sites makes it very difficult to compete, from an economic perspective, with conventional energy sources. However, the diverted incoming materials, such as leaf and yard waste, compostable biosolids, and paper mill waste, can be used in the development of manufactured soil profiles for rehabilitation, significantly reducing rehabilitation costs and facilitating more cost-competitive production of agricultural and biomass feedstock crops. / Niagara Waste Systems Limited, a division of Walker Industries Holdings Limited, MITACS

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Nesta pesquisa, uma CÃlula Experimental (CE) de ResÃduos SÃlidos Urbanos (RSU) foi instalada numa Ãrea nÃo utilizada do Aterro SanitÃrio Metropolitano Oeste de Caucaia (ASMOC), RegiÃo Metropolitana de Fortaleza, com o objetivo de se estudar o comportamento de gramÃneas na sua superfÃcie, visando a reduÃÃo das emissÃes de CH4 e CO2 para a atmosfera e a produÃÃo de biomassa vegetal. As estimativas das emissÃes de gases foram realizadas por meio de ensaios com placa de fluxo estÃtico na cobertura convencional (branco) e nas coberturas cultivadas, alÃm das mediÃÃes feitas no dreno; todos em duas campanhas. Os cultivos de capim MombaÃa, Massai, Andropogon, Buffel e da grama Bermuda foram avaliados com relaÃÃo as caracterÃsticas morfogÃnicas, estruturais, produtivas e nutricionais. A Ãrea que recebeu a CE foi previamente estudada por meio do reconhecimento do perfil estratigrÃfico do subsolo e do nÃvel d‟Ãgua, caracterizaÃÃo dos solos em termos geofÃsicos (granulometria, limites de consistÃncia, compactaÃÃo Proctor Normal, permeabilidade à Ãgua) e quanto à fertilidade. Os RSU foram estudados quanto à composiÃÃo gravimÃtrica, densidade aparente, teor de umidade e seu lixiviado analisado do ponto de vista fÃsico-quÃmico. Os gases emitidos pelo dreno, na primeira campanha (1ÂC) foram compostos, em mÃdia, por 14,7% de CO2, 8,0% de CH4, 11,4% de O2 e 65,9% de outros gases. Na segunda campanha (2ÂC) houve um aumento na concentraÃÃo (%) dos dois principais gases de interesse (CO2: 0,3 vezes e CH4: 0,5 vezes) e reduÃÃo na concentraÃÃo dos demais (O2: 0,2 vezes e OG: 0,1 vezes): 19,0% de CO2, 11,8% de CH4, 8,7% de O2 e 60,4% de outros gases. Os gases emitidos pela cobertura (branco) foram (em %) menores que os emitidos pelo dreno, mostrando retenÃÃo: 1ÂC = 11,6% de CO2, 6,5% de CH4, 9,1% de O2 e 72,7% de outros gases; 2ÂC = 14,9% de CO2, 9,4% de CH4, 7,2% de O2 e 68,5% de outros gases. Em relaÃÃo aos fluxos mÃssicos houve aumento entre as campanhas (mÃdia): 2,5 x 10-3 e 3,6 x 10-3 g/m2.s de CH4 (1ÂC e 2ÂC, respectivamente), 1,2 x 10-2 e 1,5 x 10-2 g/m2.s de CO2 (1ÂC e 2ÂC). Os fluxos volumÃtricos foram (mÃdia): 4,0 x 10-6 e 5,7 x 10-6 m3/m2.s de CH4 (1ÂC e 2ÂC) e 7,0 x 10-6 e 8,8 x 10-6 m3/m2.s de CO2 (1ÂC e 2ÂC). Cabe observar que os fluxos estiveram dentro dos intervalos da literatura. Em relaÃÃo aos cultivos, observou-se que mesmo colocadas sobre solo tÃpico de aterro sanitÃrio e sem tratamento especial na cobertura ou no cultivo, as sementes dos quatro capins estudados e da grama Bermuda apresentaram germinaÃÃo dentro dos prazos biolÃgicos previstos. Assim, houve sobrevivÃncia dessas espÃcies sobre o solo do aterro sanitÃrio, porÃm com indicadores de desenvolvimento vegetal menores em relaÃÃo a literatura, contribuindo para isso o efeito negativo da extrema compactaÃÃo da cobertura e o baixo grau de fertilidade do solo. Cada cultivo teve uma capacidade diferente de impedir as emissÃes dos gases pela cobertura. Em ordem decrescente, observou-se (mÃdia): MombaÃa (2,6 e 3,8% de CH4 na 1ÂC/2ÂC; 4,6 e 6,0% de CO2 na 1ÂC/2ÂC), Massai (2,0 e 2,8% de CH4; 3,5 e 4,5% de CO2), Andropogon (1,1 e 1,5% de CH4; 1,9 e 2,5% de CO2), Bermuda (0,9 e 1,3% de CH4; 1,6 e 2,0% de CO2) e capim Buffel (0,4 e 0,6% de CH4; 0,5 e 0,6% de CO2). Os fluxos mÃssicos e volumÃtricos tambÃm foram menores no solo cultivado com capim MombaÃa e maiores no capim Buffel e isso manteve relaÃÃo com as principais caracterÃsticas morfogÃnicas, estruturais, produtivas e nutricionais utilizadas na avaliaÃÃo da sobrevivÃncia e desenvolvimento dos cultivos. / An Urban Solid Waste (USW) Experimental Cell (EC) was set up in an unused area of the West Metropolitan Landfill in Caucaia (ASMOC), in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, with the aim of studying the behavior of different grasses planted on its cover layer in order to reduce atmospheric emissions of CO2 and CH4 and for the production of plant biomass. Gas emissions were tested with static flow plates on the normal cover layer (blank) and on the planted areas, in addition to the measurements taken on the landfill drainage. All measurements were made in two different campaigns. The morphogenesis, structural, productive and nutritional features of the Mombasa, Massai, Andropogon, Buffel and Bermuda grasses were evaluated. The area on which the EC was located was studied prior to the seeding, including a survey of the subsoil stratigraphic profile and groundwater levels, a geophysical soil characterization (grain size, Atterberg limits, normal Proctor compaction, water permeability) and fertility. The USW was studied for its gravimetric composition, density and moisture content and its leachate was analyzed from a physical and chemical perspective. The gases emitted by the drainage in the first campaign (C1) were composed on average by 14.7% CO2, 8.0% CH4, 11.4% O2, and 65.9% of other gases. In the second campaign (C2) there was an increase in the concentration (%) of the two main gases of interest (CO2: 0.3 times; CH4: 0.5 times) and a reduction in the concentration of the others (O2: 0.2 times, and other gases 0.1 times), with the following concentrations: CO2 19.0%, CH4 11.8%, O2 8.7%, and 60.4% of other gases. The gas emissions of the normal cover layer (blank) were lower than those of the drainage, showing a certain retention: C1: CO2 11.6%, CH4 6.5%, O2 9.1% and 72.7% of other gases; C2: CO2 14.9%, CH4 9.4%, O2 7.2% and 68.5% of other gases. Regarding the mass flows, there was an increase between the two campaigns (mean values): 2.5 x 10-3 and 3.6 x 10-3 g/m2.s of CH4 (C1 and C2, respectively), and 1.2 x 10-2 and 1.5 x 10-2 g/m2.s of CO2 (also for C1 and C2, respectively). The volumetric flows were the following (mean values): 4.0 x 10-6 and 5.7 x 10-6 m3/m2.s of CH4 (C1 and C2); and 7.0 x 10-6 and 8.8 x 10-6 m3/m2.s of CO2 (C1 and C2). The flows were within the ranges reported in the literature. Regarding the grass crops, it was observed that even though they were planted on a typical landfill soil without any special soil or cultivation treatment, the seeds of all five studied grasses germinated within the expected biological times. These species survived on the soil of the landfill yet presented smaller plant development indicators than those reported in the literature. The negative effect of an extreme soil compaction and low soil fertility contributed to such lower developmental results. Each crop showed a different ability to prevent gas emissions through the cover layer. We present them in descending order (mean values), namely: Mombasa (2.6% and 3.8% of CH4 in C1/C2, and 4.6% and 6.0% of CO2 in C1/ C2); Massai (2.0% and 2.8% of CH4, and 3.5% and 4.5% of CO2); Andropogon (1.1% and 1.5% of CH4, 1.9% and 2.5% of CO2); Bermuda (0.9% and 1.3% of CH4, 1.6% and 2.0% of CO2); and Buffel (0.4% and 0.6% of CH4, 0.5% and 0.6% of CO2). The volumetric and mass flows were lower in the soil planted with Mombasa grass and higher in that planted with Buffel. This was related to the main morphogenesis, structural, nutritional and productive features used in the assessment of crop survival and development.

Estudos recentes constataram a existência de processos que permitem a atenuação natural dos contaminantes presentes nos lixiviados. O adequado entendimento destes processos pode originar benefícios possíveis de serem aplicados em aterros antigos, novos ou naqueles que ainda serão concebidos. O presente estudo avaliou o comportamento e a atenuação de contaminantes dos líxiviados no solo, por meio de experimento desenvolvido em colunas de percolação e, para a avaliação da atenuação este teste é indicado por refletir as condições naturais e as características adsortivas do solo, propiciando uma melhor simulação da atenuação. O lixiviado e o solo utilizados neste experimento são provenientes do aterro sanitário de São Carlos - SP. O solo utilizado foi caracterizado quanto à composição física, química, biológica e mineralógica para verificar o transporte do percolado nas colunas e a interação solo-contaminante. Na área do aterro foram feitas perfurações, ensaios de condutividade hidráulica e avaliação da geologia local, para conhecimento das características físicas, químicas, biológicas, mineralógicas e geológicas do solo in situ. Este foi classificado como arenoso, apresentando características físicas e químicas que não se enquadram nos parâmetros adequados para sua utilização em áreas de disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos, pois, a capacidade de troca de cátions, superfície específica, potencial hidrogeniônico e classe textural arenosa, evidenciam que este solo possui deficiente capacidade de retenção e imobilização de contaminantes. Além disso, pela observação in situ, constata-se que a área de disposição de resíduos sólidos de São Carlos esta situado sobre rochas da Formação Botucatu, sendo que a mineralogia do solo presente no local é composta de quartzo, caulinita, goethita, hematita, gibsita e ilita. O ensaio de condutividade hidráulica indicou que o solo presente na base do Aterro sanitário não atende a valor de permeabilidade exigida por norma, o que poderá permitir a infiltração de água da chuva, aumentando a produção do lixiviado e sua movimentação no perfil, podendo atingir as águas subterrâneas. Assim, foram traçadas curvas características do transporte de contaminantes nas amostras efluentes monitoradas durante o processo de percolação, coletadas a cada 0,25 volume de poros até atingir 10,0 volume de poros percolados. As curvas características do transporte de contaminantes traçadas apresentaram baixas concentrações de Chumbo, Cádmio, Ferro, Zinco, Manganês, Cálcio, Magnésio, Cobre, Cromo nas amostras fluentes. Já o Sódio, Potássio, Cloro, Níquel e Alumínio foram preferencialmente percolados com o lixiviado, evidenciando a variação da faixa de concentração de cada elemento no percolado. Os perfis de concentração dos metais pesados mostraram que existe uma frente de contaminação. As curvas de retenção de metais no solo mostraram que a preferência de sorção apresentada pelos solos nas colunas foi : Cobre > Cádmio > Cálcio > Zinco > Magnésio > Potássio > Manganês > Fósforo > Ferro > Níquel > Alumínio. Cujos valores retidos no solo das colunas podem estar evidenciando a capacidade deste solo em reter contaminantes.O solo em questão apresentou baixo potencial para retenção dos contaminantes presentes no lixiviado, classificado como arenoso e, com características químicas que não se enquadram nos parâmetros adequados para sua utilização em áreas de disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos. / Recent studies had found the existence of processes that allow a natural attenuation of the leachates\'s cotaminants. An adequate understanding of these processes may originate benefits, that may be applied in ancient, new or to be created landfills. This work evaluated the contaminant\'s behavior and attenuation, contaminants existing in soil\'s leaching, throughout an experiment developed in percolation columns. This is the indicated examination for evaluate the attenuation, because it reflects soil\'s natural conditions and adsorptive characteristics, providing a better simulation of it\'s attenuation. The leachate and the soil used in this experiment came from Sao Carlos-SP landfill. The used soil has been characterized as its mineralogical\'s and physical chemical-biological\'s composition, looking for the percolated\'s transportation inside the columns, and for the interaction soil-contaminant. The landfill\'s area has been several times drilled, tested as it\'s hydraulic conductivity and assessment of local geology, in order to know the physical, chemical, biological, mineralogical and geological in situ soil\'s characteristics. This, has been classified as sandy, and, by presenting chemical characteristics that does not reach the adequated value for utilization on solid urban wastes, due to the values of CTC, SE, pH, and the textural sandy class, what shows a deficient buffering capacity in retaining and immobilisating contaminants. By observation in situ, has been found that Sao Carlos\'s solids disposal waste is located over rocks from the Botucatu formation, and the mineralogy of it is composed of quartz, caulinith, goethith, hematith, gibsith an ilith. The hydraulic conductivity test has indicated that the soil in the base of the sanitary landfill does not reaches the permeability values required by the standards, what may allow rain water\'s infiltration, and raises the amount of leachate and it\'s movement onto the ground, and even the leachete to reach the underground waters. So, has been drawn the characteristics curves of the contaminant\'s transportation in the effluents samples found during the percolation process, collected by every 0,25 VP until it reaches 10,0 VP percolated. The characteristical curves of the contaminant\'s transportation drawn showed low concentrations in the effluent samples of Lead, Cadmium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Calcium, Magnesium, Cooper, Chromium. Also, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine, Nickel and Aluminium had been preferencially percolated within the leachate, what evidentiates the variation in the range of concentrations of every percolated element. The concentration profiles from heavy metal\'s had shown that there is a front of contamination. The retention curves from the soil\'s retaining metal showed that the preferency for the sorption was: Cooper > Cadmium > Calcium > Zinc > Magnesium > Potassium > Manganese > Phosphorus > Iron > Nickel > Aluminium, whose values may point the soil\'s ability in retaining contaminants. The studied soil has presented low potential in retain contaminants from the leachete, and is characterized as sandy, and it\'s chemical features shall not be framed according the standards parameters to be utilized in solid urban waste\'s disposal.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-02T13:54:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 OmarJoaodaMataDissertacao.pdf: 976126 bytes, checksum: 616780a10a223756893e1ab9f6ac26d1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-05 / The purpose of this study was to measure biogas emission from a monitored landfill in the city of Betim, State of Minas Gerais, in southeast Brazil, and determine parameters for the application of mathematical models to evaluate methane production and the possible generation of energy for the specific Betim region. The study was conducted at the city sanitary landfill. With 500,000 inhabitants, and producing 300 tons of residues a day, Betim started to operate its sanitary landfill in 2002 and is expected to close it in 2012. The system of disposition and treatment of garbage includes the landfill, manure treatment ponds and a composting yard. It receives domestic and commercial waste from the city and the remains of pruning and weeding. The residues from pruning and weeding, restaurants and garbage trucks are transformed into organic matter on the composting yard. The gas consists of 50%-60% of methane generated by decomposition of the organic matter by bacteria, and also of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, water and small percentages of other elements. Several collections and analyses were carried out and compared with different measurement estimates of the biogas capturing system of sanitary landfills by different methods: World Bank WB; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC; and United States Environment Protection Agency USEPA, with the aim of finding parameters to evaluate the data obtained. The comparison of our data with the curves foreseen with the methods above, and the results provided by the laboratory, made it possible to validate the theoretical models. / O objetivo deste estudo foi medir a emissão de biogás a partir de um aterro monitorado na cidade de Betim, Estado de Minas Gerais, no sudeste do Brasil, e determinar parâmetros para a aplicação de modelos matemáticos para avaliar a produção de metano ea geração de energia possível para o Betim região específica. O estudo foi realizado no aterro sanitário da cidade. Com 500.000 habitantes, e produzindo 300 toneladas de resíduos por dia, Betim começou a operar seu aterro sanitário em 2002 e deverá ser concluída em 2012. O sistema de disposição e tratamento de lixo inclui o aterro sanitário, lagoas de tratamento de chorume e um pátio de compostagem. Ele recebe lixo doméstico e comercial da cidade e os restos de poda e capina. Os resíduos de poda e capina, restaurantes e caminhões de lixo são transformados em matéria orgânica no pátio de compostagem. O gás é constituído por 50% -60% de metano gerado pela decomposição da matéria orgânica por bactérias, e também de dióxido de carbono, oxigênio, hidrogênio, sulfureto de hidrogênio, amoníaco, monóxido de carbono, água e pequenas percentagens de outros elementos. Várias coleções e análises foram realizados e comparados com estimativas de medição diferentes das biogás captura sistema de aterros sanitários por meio de métodos diferentes: Banco Mundial - BM; Painel Intergovernamental sobre Mudança do Clima - IPCC, e Estados Unidos Agência de Proteção Ambiental - EPA, com o objetivo de encontrar parâmetros para avaliar os dados obtidos. A comparação dos nossos dados com as curvas previstas com os métodos acima, e os resultados fornecidos pelo laboratório, tornou possível para validar os modelos teóricos.

Landfill mining (LFM) is an alternative strategy to manage landfills that integrates remediation with secondary resource recovery. At present, LFM remains as an emerging concept with a few pilot-scale project implementations, which presents challenges when assessing its economic performance. These challenges include large knowledge deficits about the individual processes along the LFM process chain, lack of know-how in terms of project implementation and economic drivers, and limited applicability of results to specific case studies. Based on how these challenges were addressed, this thesis aims to analyze the usefulness and validity of different economic assessments of LFM towards the provision of better support for decision-making and in-depth learning for the development of cost-efficient projects. Different studies were analyzed including the previous studies through a systematic literature review and the factor-based method that is developed in this thesis. Four categories of economic assessment approaches were derived in terms of the study object that is about either an individual LFM project (case-study specific) or multiple LFM projects in a region (generic); and in terms of the extent of analysis that is about either the identification of the net economic potential (decision-oriented) or extended towards an in-depth learning of what builds up such result (learning-oriented). Across the different approaches, most of the previous studies have questionable usefulness and validity. The unaddressed parametric uncertainties exclude the influence of using inherently uncertain input data due to large knowledge deficits. While the narrowly accounted scenario uncertainties limits the fact that LFM can be done in various ways and settings in terms of site selection, project set-up and regulatory and market conditions. In essence, these uncertainties propagate from case-study specific to generic study object. From decision-oriented to learning-oriented studies, the identification of what builds up the result are unsystematically determined that raises issues on their subsequent recommendations for improvement based on superficially derived economic drivers. The factor-based method, with exploratory scenario development and global sensitivity analysis, is presented as an approach to performing generic and learning-oriented studies. As for general recommendations, applied research is needed to aid large knowledge deficits, methodological rigor is needed to account for uncertainties and systematically identify economic drivers, and learningoriented assessment is needed to facilitate future development of LFM. This thesis highlights the important role of economic assessments, which is not only limited for the assessment of economic potential but also for learning and guiding the development of emerging concepts such as LFM.

Landfill leachate is considered as a complex wastewater with various organic and inorganic species which must meet strict discharge standards before its release. Due to such high concentration of diverse pollutants, leachate is low in biodegradation; therefore, a proper usage of physicochemical treatments is required. In this study, membrane distillation (MD) has been used along with Fenton treatment process for pre-coagulation to achieve an effective removal of contaminants. MD is a technology derived with vapor pressure difference across the hydrophobic membrane which traps the feed-wastewater vapor at the entrance of the hydrophobic side before permeation. In order to modify and assist in membrane technology's common drawback, which is dealing with foulants, Fenton oxidation is coupled in the leachate treatment process. Fenton is reserved to be the most effective for leachate treatment and is widely used due to its simple operation and low costs. Fenton oxidation was able to lessen the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of leachate up to 55% while increasing the conductivity and reducing the concentration of NH4-N. The membrane flux and volume had a significant increase with a use of lower COD leachate after Fenton treatment coupled with MD. / Master of Science / Landfilling has been recognized as a principal disposal process of municipal solid wastes globally over the past decades, and this disposal method has been one of the leading concerns for a continuous production of landfill leachate. Leachate is considered as a complex wastewater with a variety of organic and inorganic species which must meet strict discharge standards before its release. Due to such high concentration of diverse pollutants, leachate is low in biodegradation; therefore, a proper usage of physicochemical treatments is required. In this study, membrane distillation (MD) has been used along with Fenton treatment process for pre-coagulation to achieve an effective removal of contaminants. MD is a technology derived with vapor pressure difference across the hydrophobic membrane which traps the feed-wastewater vapor at the entrance of the hydrophobic side before permeation. MD has several advantages which include reduced operating temperature compared to conventional distillation processes, fewer requirements of membrane cleaning, and lower operating hydraulic pressure than other conventional pressure-driven membrane processes such as reverse osmosis (RO). This technology has a common drawback along with other membrane-required technologies which is dealing with foulants. For a reduction in membrane fouling, Fenton oxidation is coupled in the leachate treatment process. Fenton is reserved to be the most effective for leachate treatment and is widely used due to its simple operation and low costs.

Landfill leachate characteristics vary depending on the operation type of the landfill and the age of the landfill. At landfills operated as bioreactors, where leachate recirculation is practiced, leachate ammonia nitrogen concentrations may accumulate to extremely higher levels than during single pass leaching, thereby requiring treatment before final discharge to a receiving system (Onay, 1998). Usually several physical/chemical wastewater treatment technologies are used to treat the leachate. In most cases the COD and BOD are treated, and then nitrification is performed in a separate sophisticated ex situ system. The additional costs of these systems can be very high. The use of a readily available media for in situ nitrification should be considered a prime objective to avoid extra costs. The possibility of removing ammonia nitrogen from bioreactor landfill leachate using trickling filter biofilm technology was studied in four laboratory scale reactors filled with four different types of packing media. The different packing media were examined to see which media is the most efficient at supporting ammonia removal biofilms. The highest efficiency was achieved by a packing media consisting of pine wood chips. The effects of varied concentration loading, varied hydraulic loading, and nitrification inhibitors were studied. Varied ammonia concentration did not have a huge impact on the ammonia removal rates (77-87%) in the reactor with pine wood media. The ammonia removal rates showed a strong dependence on hydraulic loading rate with the lowest loading rate producing the highest removal rates. Landfill leachate from the Middle Peninsula Landfill in Glens, Virginia was determined not to contain nitrifying inhibitors. Using a wood media filter chip and a low hydraulic loading rate was determined to be the best method to remove ammonia nitrogen from landfill bioreator leachate. / Master of Science

No description available.

The integrity of groundwater sources is constantly threatened by contaminant plumes generated by accidental gasoline leakages and leachates escaping landfills. These plumes are of concern due to their proven toxicity to living organisms. Aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, volatile fatty acids, phenols, and ammonia have been found in these leachates. In addition, benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) are major components of gasoline. The lack of oxygen in groundwater makes anaerobic bioremediation desired for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with BTX and chlorinated solvents. With the objective of finding microorganisms capable of BTX and cis-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE) degradation under anaerobic conditions for their use in permeable reactive barriers, different inocula were tested in batch experiments. Toluene was rapidly degraded by several inocula in the presence of alternative electron acceptors. Benzene and m-xylene were eliminated by few of the inocula tested after incubation periods ranging from 244 to 716 days. cis-DCE was highly recalcitrant as no degradation was observed over 440 days. Biological processes have been successfully applied for the treatment of landfill leachates as well. In an effort to provide an effective and economical alternative, an anaerobic-aerobic system was evaluated using a synthetic media simulating the organic and ammonia content of real leachates. The removal of the organic content reached 98% in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor, and resulted in the formation of methane. During the aerobic process, in an innovative down-flow sponge reactor, ammonia was highly transformed to nitrite and nitrate. Complete nitrification was eventually achieved.The capacity of current wastewater treatment plants for removing nanoparticles has been questioned during the last years. Nanoparticles have been incorporated into numerous applications and their presence in wastewater seems to be inevitable. A laboratory-scale secondary treatment system was set-in to study the behavior of cerium and aluminum oxide nanoparticles during wastewater treatment. The nanoparticles were highly removed, suggesting that secondary treatment is suitable for their elimination. The removal of these nanoparticles was influenced by the pH and organic content of the wastewater. Aluminum nanoparticles proved to be toxic; however the performance of the system for eliminating the organic content was recovered over time.

Teorinėje darbo dalyje analizuojami komunalinių atliekų tvarkymo sistema Lietuvoje. Analitinėje baigiamojo darbo dalyje pateikiami ir analizuojami atliekų susidarymo ir jų tvarkymo statistiniai duomenys Alytaus regiono savivaldybėse ir UAB „Alytaus regiono atliekų tvarkymo centras“ Projektinėje darbo dalyje suformuluoti tokie sprendimai: Šalinant esamus rinkliavos pagal plotą trūkumus įvesti diferencijuotą rinkliavą. Rinkliavos dydį susieti su atliekų tūriu, o ne su būsto plotu ir skatinti rūšiuojant atliekas mažinti jų kiekį ir mokestį už jas. Aktyviau respublikos mastu vykdyti visuotinį švietimą pasitelkiant masines informavimo priemones. Skatinant atliekų rūšiavimą prie individualių namų propaguoti ir organizuoti biologiškai skaidžių atliekų kompostavimą, o daugiabučių namų rajonuose, greta mišrių komunalinių atliekų konteinerių, pastatyti konteinerius biologiškai skaidžioms atliekoms šalinti. Sąvartyno prieigose suprojektuoti ir pastatyti mišrių komunalinių atliekų rūšiavimo įrenginį. Atskirtoms biologiškai skaidžioms atliekoms perdirbti siūlau panaudoti intensyvų kompostavimą uždarose patalpose, o išsiskyrusias metano dujas panaudoti energijai gauti. Atskirtas degintinas atliekas deginti nepavojingų atlieku deginimo įrenginyje. / In the theoretical part of the thesis, the municipal waste management system in Lithuania is analyzed. In the analytical part of the thesis, statistical data of waste generation and its management in municipalities of Alytus Region and in UAB (CJSC) “Alytus Regional Waste Management Centre” are presented and analyzed. In the project part of the thesis, the solutions formulated are as follows: In order to eliminate the existing shortages of charges calculated according to the area of a dwelling, a differentiated charge should be introduced. The size of the charge should be related to the waste volume and not to the area of the dwelling. People should be encouraged to separate waste and in this way to reduce its amount as well as the charge for it. Mass media should be employed in order to more actively carry out educational campaigns at national level. Encouraging waste separation, biodegradable waste composting at private houses should be promoted and organized, while in the districts of multi-apartment buildings, containers for biodegradable waste disposal should be placed close to mixed municipal waste containers. In the vicinity of the landfill, an installation for mixed municipal waste separation should be planned and set up. I suggest using intensive indoor composting for the separated biodegradable waste in order to recycle it, and the generating methane gas should be used to produce energy. The separated incinerable waste should be incinerated in a non-hazardous... [to full text]