Elimination of Heavy Metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni and Pb) Contained in the Stabilized Leachate of the Agadir Landfill by Percolation-Infiltration on Titaniferous Medium

Abstract

This study focuses on the treatment of heavy metals in the stabilized leachate of Agadir landfill by means of infiltration percolation technique on filters at different heights 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m filled with titaniferous medium (TFM). It also deals with the effectiveness of the TFM from the region of Agadir (Morocco) in the retention of heavy metals. Through this study, it appears that the leachate of the city is loaded with heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr and Pb) and that there is absence of Cadmium and Nickel. The comparison of the total concentration of these metals with the standards of discharge re-use revealed that the zinc, the chromium and the plumb, exceed the maximums recommended by the World Health Organization. The experimental device makes it possible to reduce the load in Zn, in Cr, in Cu and in Pb with interesting outcomes in proportional to the heights of the filters. For the 1.5 m height column, the abatement rates were respectively Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb at 58.25 %, 65.04 %, 69.62 % and 60.26 %. This treatment technique has shown significant purification performance in the removal of heavy metals in the leachate.