CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE OF LANDFILLS IN MALAYSIA CASE STUDIES Fauziah S.H., Noorazamimah Aiza A. and Agamuthu, P. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia email: fauziahsh@yahoo.com
Introduction Land filling is the cheapest and simplest waste disposal option. Since 1960s Malaysian MSW was being managed by local municipalities siting of landfill in unwanted land Currently, 90% of 19100 tonnes of MSW are disposed of into 130 dumping sites. Most are not sanitary landfill except 10%.
PERLIS KEDAH PENANG PERAK KELANTAN TERENGGANU PAHANG N SELANGOR KUALA LUMPUR NEGERI SEMBILAN MELAKA JOHOR Map of Peninsular Malaysia
PERAK Producing Leaders Since 1905 www.um.edu.my SUNGAI BESAR KERLING KUALA SELANGOR BUKIT BERUNTUNG 2 KUNDANG SELANGOR 3 4 ULU YAM LAMA KUALA LUMPUR KAJANG 1 N BANTING SEPANG NEGERI SEMBILAN Map of Selangor
A typical MSW Landfill in Malaysia
Issues Re-development of ex-dumping ground Increase in land price Scarcity of suitable land especially in urban areas. Most lacked pre-planning planning strategy for closure and post-closure
Objective Explore issues pertaining to the closure and post-closure of landfills using four case studies: Air Hitam Sanitary Landfill Kundang Landfill Ex-dump site Ex-mining area used as dumping site
1. Air Hitam Sanitary Landfill An engineered landfill- proper leachate and gas treatment facilities Accommodated approx. 6 million tonnes of MSW Began operation in 1995, planned for closure in 2007- exhausted earlier Closed 2006 also due to increased population density within the area.
Waste disposal activity at Air Hitam Sanitary landfill in Selangor, Malaysia
Air Hitam Sanitary Landfill Closure and Post-closure No serious issues due to proper closure and post-closure planning Existing leachate treatment system chemical and biological treatment. Quality of discharged effluent within the Standard (Malaysian EQA 1985) limit allowed Landfill gas treatment facility CH 4 conversion to energy Total of 2 MW
Current practice Capping of waste cell with non-permeable liner Bio-cover layering Rehabilitation of the area with grasses
2. Closure Issues at Kundang Landfill Covering 80 acres; originally an ex-mining pond with natural clay liner. Received 300 tonnes of MSW daily Lacked leachate and gas treatment facility. Closed in 2006 (original plan 2008) due to the landfill leachate contamination into the adjacent river.
Kundang Landfill during operation
Closure Issues at Kundang Landfill (cont d) During operation: waste were filled into waste cells, compacted and covered daily. lack of leachate treatment - leachate accumulates in low-lying lying spots and eventually entered the river system.
Leachate flowing to the lower ground
Leachate accumulated on the leachate collection ponds
Discharge of landfill leachate into adjacent river
Characteristics of leachate from Kundang Landfill Parameter Kundang leachate Std A EQA 1974 Std B BOD 5 (mg/l) 27.5 ± 0.7 20 50 COD (mg/l) 6232 ± 1824 50 100 ph 7.48 ± 0.04 6 9 5.5-9 TSS (mg/l) 0.06 ± 0.01 50 100 Zn (mg/l) 0.06 ± 0.04 0.2 1.0 Cu (mg/l) 0.003 ± 0.002 0.2 1.0 Cr (mg/l) 0.19 ± 0.02-0.05 Pb (mg/l) 0.03 ± 0.01 0.1 0.5
Daily leachate contamination from Kundang Landfill into Kundang river system Parameter (g/day) BOD 5 COD TSS Hardness (CaCO 3 ) Cr Cu Pb Zn Mg Level of pollutants 1 238 280 440 2.7 19 320 8.7 0.135 1.215 2.7 191.0
Current Scenario Leachate accumulated in the leachate pond Covering of the waste cells significantly reduces the leachate generation due to less direct contact with rain The volume of leachate flowing into the river also reduces, however it is still contaminating the river system.
Waste cell has been covered with soil and grass after landfill closure
3. Contamination at an Ex- landfill in Selangor Located in Kelana Jaya; closed in 2000 Formerly was an ex-mining area Received a total volume of approximately 1.57 million m 3 of MSW during its operational period. Lack a liner system - contamination from waste residue, leachate and landfill gases.
Waste on the ex-landfill site
Environmental aspects of the area Currently mixed development had been established on the ex-landfill including residential area and commercial zones. Soil contamination: Highest As (64.4 mg/kg) and Hg (11.5 mg/kg). warrants remediation to prevent risk to occupants on the ex-landfill area.
Development of the ex-landfill area
Results of surface soil and deep soil analysis Parameter unit surface soil 5 m deep soil Dutch Intervention Standard Phosphate mg/kg 4 4 - Flouride mg/kg 3.7 0.7 - Sulfate mg/kg 280 9.03 - ph na 7.3 7.8 - Chloride mg/kg 63.2 3.7 - Nitrate mg/kg 31.6 1.6 - Nitrite mg/kg 1.65 nd - Zn mg/kg 53.3 nd 720 Sb mg/kg 2.4 nd 15 Cd mg/kg 0.6 nd 12 Cr mg/kg 6.8 nd 380 Cu mg/kg 10.25 nd 190 Pb mg/kg 36 nd 530 Ni mg/kg 3.06 9 210 Ag mg/kg 1.2 nd 15 Tl mg/kg 49.45 nd 15 As mg/kg 30.3 1.25 55 Hg mg/kg 1.4 10 10
Problem Identified and Remediation Surface soil contamination- agricultural activities should be prevented, residents should not plant edible trees Intermittent gas release- Bio-cover recommended to minimise the landfill gas impacts,
4. Malodour problem at the ex-mining area Located in the southern zone of Petaling Jaya Originally an ex-mining area Covered approximately 114 acres. Reclamation by filling with construction and municipal wastes Waste contained high percentage of gypsum
Concerned Issues Unregulated dumping of construction waste into the mining pond Release of high volume of H 2 S gas (200 ppm) - major health issue to the existing residents and property damages due to corrosion. Leachate contamination
200 180 160 H2S Monitoring Result 2004-2007 at The Retention Pond Average Highest Rainfall (ml) 800 700 600 ppm 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 2004 2005 2006 2007 Year Feb Mar 500 400 300 200 100 0 Level of H 2 S in the atmosphere at different sampling station in PJS 3.
Corrosion on metal based material
Corrosion is also evident on concrete
Leachate analysis from study area Parameter Unit Range Average Standard B BOD mg/l 23.5-42.0 33.0 50 COD mg/l 51.5-128.0 82.9 100 ph - 4.7-7.1 6.5 5.5-9.0 Sulphide mg/l 0.9-10.4 3.8 0.5 Ammoniacal-N mg/l 13.4-17.8 16.1 Not available Phosphate mg/l 1.6-315.6 80.2 Not available Sulfate mg/l 55.0-132.5 101.6 Not available Chloride mg/l 22.1-37.8 27.3 Not available Nitrate mg/l 0-2,687.1 671.8 Not available Cd mg/l Not detected 0.0 0.02 Cr mg/l Not detected 0.0 0.05 Pb mg/l Not detected 0.0 0.5 Fe mg/l 0.1-16.3 4.4 5 Ag mg/l 0-0.6 0.2 Not available As mg/l 0 0.3 0.2 0.1 Hg mg/l Not detected 0.0 0.05 Se mg/l Not detected 0.0 Not available Ba mg/l 0.2-0.3 0.2 Not available
Leachate flowing into the drain system through cracks
Proposed Treatment Facilities Proper gas collection, transportation and treatment system to minimize the impact of CH 4 and H 2 S. Leachate will be diverted to a treatment plant for total management.
Conclusion Landfill closure and post-closure issues are very serious in Malaysia. Proper closure post-closure is important ensure the safety of the environment (Air Hitam landfill) Ad-hoc decision and lack of planning turned landfill as a major source of pollution (Kundang landfill) Redevelopment of an ex-landfill is possible but requires high capital to remediate contaminating areas Appropriate enforcement and regulations is crucial Indicates the urgent need of proper policies and guidelines on closure and post-closure to minimize environmental impacts
Acknowledgement Alam Flora (P) Ltd. KUB Berjaya (P) Ltd. GAD Waste Management Company Bussum University of Malaya PJP Grant (VOT F0203/2004B)
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