Identification of groundwater redox process induced by landfill leachate based on sensitive factor method

Abstract

Landfill site is a significant source of groundwater pollution. To ensure that the groundwater contamination of landfills can be controlled and repaired scientifically, the identification of groundwater pollution process is needed. On the basis of biogeochemical process of leachate pollutants in the groundwater environment, a sensitive factor method for the identification of groundwater redox process from landfills was established in this research. The method encompasses four phases, including sensitive factors selection, redox zone characterization, weight calculation, and redox zone identification. In the sensitive factor index system employed here, five indicators involving dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite, Fe²⁺, sulfide, and CO₂ were selected. The boundary of each redox zones was determined by the quantitative method, and the weight of each indicator was calculated by combined weight method. This method was applied to a landfill site in the northeast of China. The result showed that there were five redox zones that appeared in pollution plume, including methanogenic zone (MGZ), sulfate reduction zone (SRZ), iron reduction zone (IRZ), nitrate reduction zone (NRZ), and oxygen reduction zone (ORZ). The results were consistent with the actual situation of the site. The sensitive factor method was scientific and effective to identify the groundwater redox process in landfill and can provide reference data related to investigation and remediation of groundwater pollution in landfill sites.