Doc/Toc in the eluate of waste from the MBA

When accepting waste from mechanical-biological waste treatment (MBA) in a mass landfill, the total organic carbon (TOC) in the eluate shall be assessed. In order to evaluate the methods for the determination of the dissolved and total organic carbon in the eluate, samples of different rottegrades from two MBA plants were analyzed. The average dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content was 87% relative to the TOC content in the eluate. In addition to the removal of inorganic carbon, the centrifugation time and the filter medium proved to be essential influencing factors. While the samples intended for landfilling fully met the Austrian deposition criteria, the DOC concentrations in the eluate were above the German limit of 300 mg/l.