Physicochemical Characterization of the Leachate of the Tamelast Landfill Site, Grand Agadir (Morocco)

Abstract

During the last decade, the Grand Agadir has faced a huge production of solid waste, similarly to all other Moroccan cities. Indeed, these solid wastes are composed of the organic matter fraction in 77%. This solid waste is buried in the landfill of Tamelast, which, with its undersized leachate storage ponds, is the source of many environmental problems. Thus, the development of a landfill site meeting environmental standards has become an urgent need. This study aims to highlight the current state of waste management in Grand Agadir, while assessing the polluting load of leachate produced at the Tamelast landfill. This was achieved by taking samples of young leachate at the outlet of the purge, followed by medium and old leachate from the storage tanks (Pond N°2 & N°3). In addition to the olfactory nuisances still persistent at the landfill area, the results of the physicochemical characterization showed that the leachates produced, if not treated effectively, would generate great environmental and health risks to the surrounding environments, by their high organic and mineral load. The electrical conductivity reflecting the mineral load, reaches a maximum value of 130 mS/cm and a minimum value of 16 mS/cm. The maximum measured values of BOD5 and COD were, 43251 mgO2/L and 90240 mgO2/L, respectively, indicating high biodegradable and non-biodegradable organic pollutant load. Total dry solids ranges between 231 mg/l and 9696 mg/l, which exceeds the allowable discharge limits for liquid pollutant. The analysis of heavy metals has shown strong values in terms of Iron, Silver, Nickel, and Manganese, which, similarly, exceed the limits of the standards for liquid pollutants released into natural fields.

Keywords

• leachate
• morocco
• agadir
• landfill
• physicochemical characterization
• tamelast