Full-Scale Demonstration of Sustainable and Cost Effective On-Site Leachate Management by Willow Short Rotation Coppice

A five year project has been carried out to demonstrate the management of landfill leachate by the application of willow short rotation coppice (SRC) plantations at two landfill sites in Hertfordshire. Following a one year establishment period, landfill leachate was applied to the plantations over three growing seasons (May to September). The yield and uptake of leachate components by the willows were monitored together with the impacts of leachate application on soil quality and aqueous emissions. The results were compared with control plots that were either irrigated with fresh water or left un-irrigated. Results indicated that there was significant attenuation of leachate components by willow uptake and soil microbial processes. There were no adverse changes in soil quality. Soil salinity increased slightly during the summer leachate application period but returned to initial levels after soluble ions were leached out during the winter. The concentration of leachate components in drainage water was consistently lower than the irrigated leachate due to dilution with rainwater in the soil. Methods of establishment, and operation, key results from the trials and an assessment of the costs are presented together with a discussion on the potential role willow SRC might have in leachate management for the waste management industry.

• Introduction

• Trial Design and Operation

• Results

• Cost Assessment

• Applicability of SRC Leachate Management

• Conclusions

• Acknowledgements

• References