SUITABILITY OF DIFFERENT DOMESTIC WASTES FOR DENITRIFICATION OF LANDFILL LEACHATE USING CHARACTERIZATION AND BATCH TESTS

De-nitrification occurs by facultative bacteria which needs carbon sources for food (substrate). The process of denitrification is done through a microbial reduction of nitrate or nitrite tied to the transportation of electron phosphorylation which will then result in gaseous N. For any landfill leachate to be fit for environmental discharge, it must be de-nitrified. Thus, the Mariannhill landfill leachate effluent has been identified by scholars as one containing a high amount of nitrates despite treatment. This is why it has been adopted as a case study in this article, to engage the suitability of different domestic wastes for de-nitrification of landfill leachate using characterization and batch tests. The article provides a brief description on landfilling and landfill leachate, formation and composition of landfill leachate, and treatment of leachate. This is followed by the nitrogen cycle with much emphasis on de-nitrification, the bacteria responsible and the substrate they feed on. It discovers that, the suitability of different domestic wastes such as (pine bark, vegetable waste, commercial garden refuse, fresh and immature composted garden refuse etc.) are easily accessible and relatively cheap. The study concludes by suggesting the usage of the CGRraw, 25/75 mix substrate and fresh composted commercial garden refuse because they are said to produce better suitability than others and that they denitrify within the stipulated time.