Leachate transport through a lateritic soil. Case study: Botucatu sanitary landfill

• Grant number: 12/00273-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
• Grantee: Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Thiago Villas Bôas Zanon

Abstract

This research project aims at obtaining parameters of pollutant migration through a lateritic residual soil by back-analysis of in-situ contamination of the subsoil underlying the leachate pond in the sanitary landfill of Botucatu and laboratory column and diffusion tests carried out with non-contaminated local soil samples. Back-analysis will be based on results of physical-chemical analyses of soil samples collected under the unlined leachate pond. Laboratory pollutant migration tests will be carried out with local soil samples that were not subjected to leachate seepage. Results obtained by both methods will be applied to a numerical code in order to obtain transport parameters and also for numerical simulation of different configurations of bottom liners of sanitary landfills. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Revita Engenharia Ambiental, the operator of Botucatu landfill, which has already authorized the collection of soil and leachate samples. This research will contribute to the formation of the database of pollutant transport parameters of tropical soils which is being prepared by the applicant; to a more complete understanding of the transport mechanisms of pollutants through the subsoil in field situation; and to bring forth technical and scientific knowledge for the discussion of specifications for sanitary landfill design. (AU)