Physicochemical characterization of leachates from the technical landfill center of El Hoceima (Morocco)

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the physicochemical properties of leachates from the Technical Landfill Center (TLC) of El Hoceima (HOC), an installation dedicated to the treatment of Municipal Waste (MW) and Waste Similar to Municipal Waste (WSMW). The characterization of leachates from TLC HOC can serve as a reliable database for designing treatment processes (TP) adapted to Moroccan leachates, specifically those generated by a coastal city’s population. The parameters analyzed included organic matter (OM), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonium ion concentration (NH + ), conductivity, suspended solids (SS), total phosphorus (TP), and pH. These parameters were selected for their relevance in the design of leachate treatment processes. The results indicate a general decrease in most measured parameters over the five years of municipal waste landfilling. However, the concentration of ammonium ions (NH + ) showed an increasing trend.