Leachate pollutants removed by biofilter with different media

Two different media, aged refuse and cinder were used to construct three biofilters, aged refuse biofilter, cinder biofilter and complex biofilter, and their treatment efficiency on landfill leachate pollutants were investigated. Cinder biofilter had higher COD and NH₃-N removal rates than that of the aged refuse biofilter, while lower removal rate of total nitrogen. Complex biofilter had better resistance to shock loading and lower temperature. SEM observation and microbial counting found that two media were hospitable for bacterial attachment and growth. The particle composition of two media may have important effects on biofilter's permeability and pollutants removal.