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Application of stable isotopes and dissolved ions for monitoring landfill leachate contamination

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Abstract

We evaluated groundwater contamination by landfill leachate at a municipal landfill and characterized isotopic and hydrogeochemical evidence of the degradation and natural attenuation of buried organic matter at the study site. Dissolved ion content was generally much higher in the leachate than in the surrounding groundwater. The leachate was characterized by highly elevated bicarbonate and ammonium levels and a lack of nitrate and sulfate, indicating generation under anoxic conditions. Leachate δD and δ13CDIC values were much higher than those of the surrounding groundwater; some groundwater samples near the landfill showed a significant contamination by the leachate plume. Hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater suggest that aquifer geology in the study area plays a key role in controlling the natural attenuation of leachate plumes in this oxygen-limited environment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) grant by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. CAP-17–05-KIGAM).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28119, Korea

    Kwang-Sik Lee

  2. Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34132, Korea

    Kyung-Seok Ko

  3. Korea Rural Community Corporation, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, 58327, Korea

    Eul Young Kim

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  1. Kwang-Sik Lee
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  2. Kyung-Seok Ko
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  3. Eul Young Kim
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Correspondence to Kwang-Sik Lee or Kyung-Seok Ko.

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Lee, KS., Ko, KS. & Kim, E.Y. Application of stable isotopes and dissolved ions for monitoring landfill leachate contamination. Environ Geochem Health 42, 1387–1399 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00427-y

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