Our EWC seminar on this Friday, Sep 15, will feature Dr. Stephanie Bolyard from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation. She will discuss “Application of Landfill Treatment Approaches for the Stabilization of Municipal Solid Waste” An abstract and bio are included below. Please join us in Mann 304 from 12:50-1:40pm.

Abstract: The bioreactor landfill is an important component of current sustainable waste management practices. However, after the landfill has been operated for a period of time and the anaerobically biodegradable organic compounds are removed, the leachate may contain inorganic contaminants and refractory organic by-products that threaten the environment and human health.

This research compared the effectiveness of three landfill treatment approaches aimed at removing releasable carbon and nitrogen after anaerobic landfilling. The three landfill treatment approaches included (1) flushing with clean water, (2) leachate recirculation with ex-situ treatment, and (3) leachate recirculation with ex-situ treatment and in-situ aeration. The latter scenario is referred to as Stabilization through Treatment, Aeration, and Bioreactor Leaching (STABL) which is an approach that combines flushing, aeration, and external chemical oxidation of chemical oxygen demand to further stabilize the waste in a landfill.

This research provided information regarding the extent of waste decomposition possible under three different treatment scenarios. Results showed that treatment beyond the bioreactor landfill can further stabilize solids as well as reduce leachate contaminants. Despite the extent of stabilization there were components still remaining (including material that would produce methane) and additional costs for achieving these completion states are significant.

Bio: Stephanie C. Bolyard is the Research and Scholarships Program Manager for the Environmental Research and Education Foundation. Stephanie has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF), as well as a BS in Chemistry from the University of Florida. Stephanie worked for Brown and Caldwell and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection prior to starting her graduate studies. Collectively, she has eight years of academic and professional experience in various fields, including domestic wastewater permitting, environmental compliance and solid waste management. She has presented her research nationally and internationally and has receive numerous awards and honors for her research, academic, and leadership accomplishments.