POLAR ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN LANDFILL LEACHATES

A large number of organic compounds is discharged into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Many of these chemicals represe nt a potential hazard for the environment. Landfills are potential poi nt sources for ground water contamination especially because very ofte n they were built over old gravel pits, or in gullies. Hence, older la ndfills leach into the ground water. The leachates contain polar organ ic compounds that reflect the composition of the waste. because ground water is often used for drinking water supply, these pollutants and t heir transformation products, possibly generated during water treatmen t, have become a serious problem.