Treatment of organic matter and methylated arsenic in landfill biogas condensate

To explore the feasible treatment alternatives for organic contaminant, especially organic arsenic species in the landfill gas (LFG) condensate, a variety of treatment approaches were examined and evaluated in this study. Biological degradation, conventional and advanced oxidation, and physical absorption showed limited effectiveness to convert the methylated arsenic to inorganic arsenic. Reverse osmosis (RO) was found to be able to remove the organic arsenic and meet the discharge limits. Maximum removal efficiency and cost level were summarized for all treatment approaches tested, which can be a reference for the organic arsenic treatment method selection under different circumstances.

► One of the first studies on organic arsenic in landfill gas condensate.
► Both treatment and cost effectiveness were evaluated comprehensively for all kinds of treatment technologies.
► Organic arsenic speciation was conducted to explore the treatment mechanism.