Biofouling effect of different landfill leachates on high-density polyethylene pipe material

Pipelines used for collecting and transporting landfill leachates may be affected by biofouling, subsequently posing environmental risks. This study investigates the surface biofouling on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes immersed in leachates acquired from operating (MSW-1) and closed (MSW-2) landfills and from a landfill containing incinerated bottom ash and municipal waste (MSW-3). Water quality monitoring , material characterization, and microbial high-throughput sequencing analysis were conducted to analyze the biofouling effects of different landfill leachates on HPDE pipes. The total fouling masses in the MSW-1, MSW-2, and MSW-3 leachates were 29.2 %, 35.2 %, and 24.5 %, respectively; MSW-2 depicted severe biofouling. The biofouling mass was dominated by living mycobacterial cells (69.93 % of the total biovolume). Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum (30.43 %) and the key bacteria group to cause biofouling. The leachates had a significant impact on the microbial community structure, with Castellaniella and Luteibacter being the endemic genera in MSW-3 and norank_f__Rhodothermaceae being the endemic genera in MSW-1 and MSW-2. Furthermore, Ca 2+ was the dominant water-quality parameter to affect the distribution of microbial communities. This study provides valuable insights for pipeline disinfection and sterilization to mitigate bio-clogging in HDPE pipes.