Spatial and temporal variations of bacterial abundances in four basins treatment of leachate from the decharge Etueffont (Belfort, France)

The seasonal distribution of bacterial communities was assessed in a landfill leachate station located in Etueffont (Territoire de Belfort, France). Water samples were taken monthly from May 1998 to May 1999 from both the gross leachate and four lagooning basins. Bacterial numbers varied from 0.04X106 to (). They decreased from the first to the last basin and were overall lower than those reported in literature for aquatic systems with comparable organic matter content. This may be ascribed to the leachate toxicity on bacteria.