Silica geochemistry of landfill leachates

Abstract

A landfill site is an environment where leachate is produced by the infiltration of fluid into the refuse. Exploratory work has been carried out to determine the chemical composition of landfill leachates. Samples are collected periodically to study the change in leachates over time; these changes are already becoming apparent. The silica contents of the leachates vary widely and in some cases are well in excess of the value appropriate for saturation with respect to quartz. This may be related to reactions occurring between the leachate and the clay liner of the site.