A Quick and Reliable Method to Detect and Quantify Contamination from MSW Landfills: a Case Study

Geochemical characterization of two landfills, one closed and the other still active, both located near Komotini (Thrace, Greece), has been carried out. The aim was to provide an integrated and reliable methodology for a rapid assessment of the real impact of a municipal solid waste landfill, in the main environmental matrices (air and water) of the surrounding areas. The chemical (CO₂, CH₄, CO, H₂, N₂, and O₂ + Ar) and isotopic characterization (δ¹³C(CO2) and δ¹³C(CH₄)) of landfill gas and chemical (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, HCO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, B, COD, Fe, Mn, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg) and isotopic analysis (δD, δ¹⁸O, tritium content, and δ¹³CDIC) of leachate, stream waters and groundwaters, and flux survey on the air–soil interface has been carried out. Combined chemical and isotopic analysis of the fluids collected inside and in the surroundings of the Komotini landfills supply a detailed picture of biogas emission and composition as well as of leachate chemistry and interaction with local waters. The results arising in this case study demonstrate that it is possible to propose a quick and reliable geochemical protocol to get a detailed picture of the state of health of the environment around a landfill.