Abstract: The paper discusses the characteristics of leachates from municipal
solid waste dumps at Chennai, India. Leachate samples from Perungudi and
Kodungaiyur dumping grounds were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical
conductivity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical
oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, ammonia nitrogen, chloride, sulphate,
phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, chromium, copper,
nickel, lead and zinc. Leachates were slightly alkaline. Total dissolved solids
varied from 1391 to 8124 mg/L. The maximum chemical and biochemical oxygen
demands recorded were 1370 and 58 mg/L, respectively. Heavy metals were in
microgram levels. Pollution potential indicating parameter ratios BOD/COD and
COD/DOC were < 0.1 and < 2, respectively. Results of the study indicated
that the leachate quality of these sites were similar to those of aged or
stabilized landfills. A comparison of the quality in the two sites showed that
the pollution potential of Perungudi leachates was slightly higher than that of
Kodungaiyur.
Keywords: Dumpsite, leachate, TDS, BOD, COD, heavy metal
