Environmental mobility of inorganic sulphides from a landfill for disposal of special waste

The possible environmental mobility of inorganic sulphides, present in high concentrations, from a landfill for special waste disposals to the environment, has been studied. Sulphide content has been determined by a voltammetric method, which is sensitive, rapid and specific for the chemical species examined.The results show no sulphide mobility from the landfill to the groundwater but a consistent release of hydrogen sulphide to the atmosphere, due to the treatment by air in the leachate formed in the landfill.In order to follow and to evaluate this emission a laboratory pilot device which reproduces the real situation in the landfill has been set up. In this way a diffuse emission has been transformed into a source characterized by a stack permitting a more accurate analytical study.