EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SORBENTS FOR HEAVY METAL REMOVAL IN LANDFILL LEACHATE USING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA)

This research assesses the environmental impacts of various sorbents employed in the removal of heavy metals from landfill leachate using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The study investigates sorbents such as biochar, activated carbon, and natural zeolites, focusing on their performance across all life cycle phases: production, transportation, application, and disposal. The LCA was performed using OpenLCA software and the ecoinvent database, with evaluations conducted for critical environmental impact categories including global warming potential, human toxicity, resource depletion, and ecotoxicity. Key findings indicate that the production phase is the most environmentally burdensome, primarily due to energy-intensive processes and the use of fossil-based inputs. Among the sorbents analyzed, biochar demonstrated the lowest environmental footprint, emerging as the most sustainable option compared to activated carbon and zeolites. However, the transportation phase also contributed significantly to environmental impacts, driven by emissions from fossil fuel consumption. The leachate treatment phase exhibited minimal direct emissions, but notable upstream impacts were observed due to energy and resource use. This study underscores the potential of biochar as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for heavy metal removal in landfill leachate treatment systems. It recommends transitioning to renewable energy for sorbent production, optimizing transportation logistics, and exploring recycling or repurposing of spent sorbents to reduce overall environmental burdens. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable waste management practices, supporting informed decision-making in the design and operation of leachate treatment facilities.