Humic substances in landfill leachates: I. Humic acid extraction and identification

J. Artiola Fortuny, W. H. Fuller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Extraction was accomplished by adding NaOH pellets to give a 0. 5N NaOH solution under a N//2 atmosphere. The separation of the humid and fulvic acid fractions was carried out using Matricel type filters. The infrared characterization of leachate humic acids was markedly improved in time and sample-size-requirement reductions by using a Matricel filter made out of a PVC copolymer as a support for these acids. The results obtained compared very favorably with the infrared KBr pellets. Humic substances represent more than 60% of the total organic C found in anaerobic landfill leachates. Fulvic acid predominates in young unstable leachates, Fulvic acid predominates in young unstable leachates, and decreases in concentration with age. Humic acids increase with the age of the leachates, eventually decreasing as the leachate becomes more stable and diluted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)663-669
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Environmental Quality
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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