Study of leachates from uncontrolled landfills

Although still widely used in many developing countries, open dumps represent a major environmental threat. Among the various problems they give rise to, leachate production is one of the most worrying. These liquid effluents, generated by the infiltration of rainwater through solid waste, are loaded with organic compounds, heavy metals, nutrients, pathogenic microorganisms and toxic chemicals. If not properly treated, these leachates can contaminate ground and surface water, degrade soils and have a lasting impact on the health of ecosystems and local populations.