Evaluation of toxicity from leachate lagoons sediments, using the toxicity leaching procedure - TCLP and acute toxicity tests

Abstract

Landfills have been the most used alternative for final municipal solid wastes disposal, however, this system is the responsible of contamination problems associated with the generation of leachates, sediments and toxic gasses emissions. The sediments occur by the organic and inorganic matter precipitation from leachates dumped in retention lagoons, which can present toxic characteristics than affect the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential toxicity of leachates from a municipal landfill, using the TCLP procedure and acute toxicity assays with Daphnia pulex and Poecilia reticulata as biological indicators. The results showed that the sediment evaluated, did not exceed the stablished levels suggested by the EPA for the TCLP test, nor were they toxic to the organisms used. This results, suggests a potential agricultural use of this material in acid soils, since the nature of leachate sediments are pH alkaline and rich in nutrients and organic matter.