Assessment of the Mobility of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Fine Fraction of Landfill-Mined Material Using Standardized Tests:
Implications for Use as Landfill Cover Material
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2026.01.08Keywords:
Landfill mining, contaminant mobility, leachate extract, solubilized extract, eluate, environmental riskAbstract
Landfill Mining (LM) stands out as a promising strategy for material recovery and for mitigating environmental liabilities. Among the materials generated, the fine fraction of mined material (FFM), a landfill-mined-soil-like-fraction recovered during landfill mining, exhibits characteristics indicating its potential use as a component of landfill cover systems. However, the presence and mobility of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) may pose environmental risks associated with its use. This study evaluated PTE mobility in FFM through standardized leaching and solubilization tests, in accordance with Brazilian standards NBR 10005 and NBR 10006. Total element concentrations in the solid matrix and their concentrations in leaching and solubilized extracts were determined and subsequently compared with the limits established by applicable standards and values reported in the international literature. Additionally, relevant physicochemical parameters were analyzed in the extracts, and a comparative analysis was conducted of the extract preparation methods employed in LFM studies. The results indicated that PTE mobility was not directly proportional to their total concentrations in the FFM. Elements such as Fe, Ca, Mg, and Zn exhibited low mobilization, whereas Cd, As, and Mn showed mobilization under the specific test conditions. Although most elements exhibited low mobility, the results revealed differential behavior among the elements evaluated, indicating that the FFM should not be considered environmentally homogeneous with respect to PTE mobility. These findings demonstrate that PTE mobility should be a key criterion in the environmental assessment of FFM and that its potential use as a cover material requires compliance with applicable legal requirements, case-by-case assessment, and complementary environmental monitoring. The results further reinforce the importance of adopting standardized protocols and integrating ecotoxicological analyses into the assessment of the environmental safety of FFM within the context of the Circular Economy.
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