Doc/Toc in the eluate of waste from the MBA

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