Characterization and Treatment of Al-Menya Landfill Leachate Using Biological and Physical Methods

In this research, the leachate generated from Al-Menya sanitary landfill which is located in the southern part of the West Bank- Palestine was investigated. In this regard, the leachate physical, chemical and biological characteristics were studied using SBR and advanced membrane technology including UF and RO. The results showed that leachate generated is classified as young leachate with the possibility for biological treatment according to the BOD/COD ratio. Heavy metals concentrations varied in all samples due to incomplete waste separation stage. The concentration of Cr and Ni were the highest whereas the Ag and Pb were below the detection limit. The primary treatment and biological treatment using Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) showed 88%, 95%, 100% and 96% removal for COD, TSS, Ammonia nitrogen and phosphate respectively. The final stage of treatment included the advanced membrane technology (UF and RO). The treatment of SBR effluent using UF unit showed highly efficient of UF unit for TSS, Nitrate and phosphate, Al, Zn, removal with (100%), (98%), (95%), (100%), (82%), respectively. The heavy metals were partially removed, the Al was completely removed, whereas Cr concentration showed no different concentration. An efficient removal ranging between 97%-100% were observed for COD, Ammonia-Nitrogen, TSS, Al, K and Na using RO unit whereas Cr and Cd still have high concentration.Authors thanks Palestinian Water Authority PWA for their support to conduct this study