A comparison of leachate treatment between Rhode Island and Kuwait.

The main objectives of this article were to present data on the characteristics of landfill leachate of Rhode Island Central landfill and those of Kuwait's Sulaibya landfill site, and to compare different experimental pilot plant studies for the treatment of sanitary landfill leachate, which was generally characterized by high concentration of heavy metals. The data obtained on the chemical analysis of leachate generated from two landfills in Rhode Island and Kuwait, identified variations in leachate quality due to landfill composition. Pilot Plant studies using physical/chemical and biological treatments (i.e., rotating biological contractor) were used to examine the treatment efficiency.

Distribution of petroleum hydrocarbon in sediment from coastal area receiving industrial effluents in Kuwait.

Sediment samples from the coastal area facing Shuaiba industrial area (15 x 1.5 km(2)) were examined for contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment extracts were characterized largely by unresolved complex mixture from nC(22)-nC(33). The sediment samples from the upstream area facing Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery to Shuaiba Harbor were heavily polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) possibly due to the higher depth in the area created for a navigational channel to the harbor. PAHs at these locations exceeded the probable effect levels with reference to sediment quality guidelines.

Chemical contamination and toxicity of sediment from a coastal area receiving industrial effluents in Kuwait.

The Shuaiba coastal area (12.5 x 1.5 km) was examined for contamination with total organic carbon, volatile organic matter, total petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc in sediment; their desorption by aqueous elution; and toxicity to aquatic biota. The pollutants were mainly accumulated in the upstream area facing Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery to Shuaiba harbour. Solid-phase Microtox assays showed severe toxicity, and the LC(50) was negatively correlated with most of the chemical parameters, suggesting that toxicity was the function of collective effects of the pollutants present in sediment. Sea water elutriation showed poor desorption of pollutants from sediment, and the elutriates were not found toxic to Microtox and brine shrimp larvae. Whole sediment suspension in sea water reduced the survival of fingerlings in fish bioassays. Action from Shuaiba Area Authority is required to reduce pollutant accumulation in identified depositional area on the Shuaiba coast by facilitating unrestricted water flow in the area and restricting pollutant discharge at source.