Characterization and treatment of organic constituents in landfill leachates that influence the UV disinfection in the publicly owned treatment works (POTWs)

•Leachates with a variety of age, location, waste acceptance and biological treatment.•UV254 absorbance is more refractory than TOC in biological treatments.•Fractionation into Humic acids, Fulvic acids and Hydrophilic fraction.•Statistical analysis on the SUVA254 for the fractions shows that: HA>FA>Hpi.•Biological treatment plus nanofiltration (1kDa) is practical meet the UV requirement. Landfill leachates strongly quench UV light. When discharged to POTWs, leachates can interfere with UV disinfection. To investigate the UV quenching problem of landfill leachates, a variety of landfill leachates with a range of conditions were collected and characterized. The UV blocking component was found to be resistant to biological degradation so they pass through wastewater treatment plants and impact the subsequent UV disinfection system. Leachate samples were fractionated into humic acids (HAs), fulvic Acids (FAs) and hydrophilic (Hpi) fractions to investigate the source of UV absorbing materials. Results show that for all leachates examined, the specific UV254 absorbance (SUVA254) of the three fractions follows: HA>FA>Hpi. However, the overall UV254 absorbance of the Hpi fraction was important because there was more hydrophilic organic matter than humic or fulvic acids. The size distribution was also investigated to provide information about the potential for membrane treatment. It was found that the size distribution of the three fractions follows: HA>FA>Hpi. This indicates that membrane separation following biological treatment is a promising technology for removal of humic substances from landfill leachates. Leachate samples treated in this manner could meet the UV transmittance requirement of the POTWs.