Evaluation of Optimum Landfill Design by Contaminant Transport Analysis

Contaminant transport analysis was performed for four selected solid waste landfill designs using the computer code POLLUTE. The diffusion coefficients were determined for the natural soils (aquitard) and compacted soils from the Urumia landfill site, using the diffusion tests. These coefficients along with the geometrical, physical, and chemical parameters of the natural soil and engineered layers, as well as the dominant boundary conditions were used in the analysis of the four selected designs for the landfill. These designs were evaluated for the contamination of the underlying aquifer in a specified period, using the drinking water standard for chloride ion. The comparisons showed that the fourth design which includes the engineered elements of a blanket type leachate collection layer and a compacted clayey liner underneath the landfill base, has more certainty in controlling the contaminant transport from the landfill base to the underlying aquifer. This type of landfill could be introduced as an optimum and semi-engineered design to be used for solid waste landfills in Iran.