Characterization of the organic residual fraction form an old landfill for agronomic applications

Uncontrolled landfills are one of the causes of lithosphere contamination. The present study addresses the reclamation theme of an old landfill by using landfill mining. Attention is focused on the reuse of the organic residual fraction through the application of remediation technology. We propose a protocol of analysis of the landfill material sieved at 4 mm and 10 mm, that links chemical analyses and environmental bioassays. This protocol will be used to evaluate residual compatibility of the matrix for the landfill capping. Attention is mainly focused on the presence of heavy metals and on the possible interaction with test organisms. Chemical analyses of the residual matrix often showed the presence of heavy metals in concentrations exceeding the legislation limits. The biological tests do not particularly emphasize adverse effects to the growth of the used plant species. The bioassay test with Spartium junceum showed a good adaptation to stress conditions induced by the presence of the residual matrix. In conclusion, the conducted experimental activities demonstrated that the material could be reused in daily and final covering of controlled landfills. The proposed protocol allows us to have the following advantages: site reclamation with landfill mining operations, significant decrease in waste volume which should be added in new landfills, a saving of new inert material to be used in the management of current landfills.