Affiliation:
1. Independent researcher in environmental sciences, Ecuador
2. Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Sede Orellana, Coca 220150, Ecuador
3. Grupo YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Sede Orellana, Coca 220150, Ecuador
Abstract
The inadequate management of leachate produced in landfill sites, sanitary dumps, or its incomplete
treatment generates significant environmental and public health impacts. These conditions are expected in developing countries and are a major concern, especially in sensitive areas like the Amazon.
This study used a laboratory-scale reactor to investigate the efficiency of electrocoagulation for removing BOD5, COD, TSS, turbidity, and color. Samples of raw leachate from the controlled landfill
site in Francisco de Orellana canton, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon, were used. First, the initial
conditions of the leachate were determined through a physicochemical characterization, where a reduced presence of heavy metals and high biodegradability were identified, suggesting that it is old
leachate. In turn, a reactor with 5 electrodes was installed, where aluminum was used as a cathode and
iron as an anode. Finally, electrocoagulation was employed with various operational combinations,
where a run using 2.5 V and 20 minutes showed the highest removal efficiency on average, with reductions of 85.23% of BOD5, 98.20% of COD, 11.30% of TSS, 96.52% of turbidity, and 90.73% of
color.
Keywords: Electrocoagulation; Leachate; Leachate treatment.