Optimizing Leachate Management at Al-Hoceima Landfill: Investigating Bio-Pre-Treatment and Reverse Osmosis Approaches

Laboratory of Engineering Sciences and Applications, National School of Applied Sciences of Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Al-Hoceima, Morocco.

Abstract

Leachate poses a significant risk to soil, rivers, and groundwater, necessitating effective collection and treatment strategies. This study evaluates an integrated leachate management approach at the Al-Hoceima landfill, combining biological pretreatment with reverse osmosis. Initial analyses revealed high organic content in the leachate, with BOD5 and COD levels at 1,530 mg O2/l and 10,805 mg O2/l, respectively, and an ammonium concentration of 4,827 mg/l. Biological pretreatment achieved a 66% reduction in COD and a 56.02% decrease in BOD5. Further purification via reverse osmosis significantly lowered COD and BOD5 by 97% and 98.46%, respectively, ensuring compliance with Moroccan environmental standards. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our integrated approach in mitigating the environmental impact of landfill leachate.