• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.395-408
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• 2023

This study presents a novel method for addressing the issue of high-concentration contaminants (ammonium, phosphate, antibiotics) in leachate arising from decomposing livestock carcasses. Antibiotics, developed to eliminate microorganisms, often have low biodegradability and can persist in the ecosystem. This research proposes design elements to prevent contamination spread from carcass burial sites. The adsorbents used were low-grade charcoal (an industrial by-product), Alum-based Adsorbent (ABA), and Zeolite, a natural substance. These effectively removed the main leachate contaminants: low-grade charcoal for antibiotics (initial concentration 1.05 mg/L, removal rate 73.4%), ABA for phosphate (initial concentration 2.53 mg/L, removal rate 99.9%), and zeolite for ammonium (initial concentration 38.92 mg/L, removal rate 100.0%). The optimal mix ratio for purifying leachate is 1:1:10 of low-grade charcoal, ABA, and zeolite. The average adsorbent usage per burial site was 1,800 kg, costing KRW 2,000,000 per ton. The cost for the minimum leachate volume (about 12.4 m³) per site is KRW 2,880,000, and for the maximum volume (about 19.7 m³) is KRW 4,620,000. These findings contribute to resolving issues related to livestock carcass burial sites and suggest post-management strategies by advocating for the effective use of adsorbents in leachate purification.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2018

Burials for the rapid disposal of carcasses have diverse and profound effects on the rural living condition, natural environment, and local economy throughout construction, management and final destruction of burials. In this study, possible residue excavated from standard burials, storage using FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) tanks, and microbial-treated burials are characterized as carcasses, contaminated soil by leachate, and wasted plastic film. Treatment technologies for volume reduction of the residue including composting, rendering, and thermal hydrolysis were investigated. If the solid and liquid residues generated during volume reduction treatment are directly transferred to the environmental facilities, it may cause disorder due to high concentrations of organics, antibiotics, and lipid. Benefits and drawbacks of composting as a volume reduction techniques are extensively investigated. We also discussed that proper treatment of excavated soils and the reusing the treated soil as agricultural purpose. For the protection of public health and worker's hygiene, treatment criteria including produced residue qualities, and quality standards for the treated soil as agricultural use are required. In addition, Scientific manual for the proper treatment of residues is required. It is necessary to consider the establishment of a pretreatment facility to the occurrence of large-scale residue treatment.