ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies significant differences in the characteristics of codisposal, hazardous, and sanitary landfill leachates. It evaluates the effectiveness of nonspecific tests to detect toxic contaminants in leachates. Monitoring of hazardous wastes, landfill leachates, and ground and surface water contamination is a necessary component of hazardous waste management, treatment, and clean-up programs. Because contaminants are measured in concentrations as low as parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt), the test methods must be quite sensitive. Inorganic contamination is monitored by using specific conductance or pH as indicator parameters for the presence of a leachate plume. Detection of organic contaminants in landfill leachate is complicated because of chemical interactions and the high concentrations of dissolved solids that are present in leachates. Analytical problems associated with detection of organic contaminants have been well documented. Major areas of concern include the sensitivity of the analytical methods, discrepancies between the method detection limits, and regulated levels of individual contaminants.
