EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF DETERMINING OPTIMUM DOSAGE OF BIOCHAR TO CLAY LINERS IN MUNCIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL

The effectiveness of landfill liners is critical for preventing leachate migration and protecting groundwater in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. This study experimentally investigates the optimum dosage of biochar(Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by the pyrolysis of organic biomass in a low-oxygen environment) as an additive to clay liners to enhance their hydraulic and contaminant retention properties. Clay-biochar mixtures were prepared with varying biochar contents and subjected to standard laboratory tests, including compaction, permeability, specific gravity, Freeswell index, Atterberg’s limits. Results revealed that incorporating biochar reduced hydraulic conductivity and significantly improved the adsorption of heavy metals and organic contaminants. The optimal performance was observed at which biochar content, achieving the lowest permeability while maximizing contaminant retention without compromising the liner's structural integrity.These findings suggest that incorporating biochar at optimized levels can enhance landfill liner performance, contributing to more sustainable waste management practices.