Extraction of Landfill Leachate via Reverse Osmosis, Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration and Nanofiltration: A Meta-Data Analysis

Landfill leachate is a complex environmental concern due to its composition of organic pollutants, inorganic salts, ammonia, nitrogen, and heavy metals. Proper treatment is critical to prevent soil and groundwater contamination. This study conducts a meta-data analysis of advanced filtration techniques-reverse osmosis (RO), microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF)-for landfill leachate extraction. A systematic review of studies published from 2020 to 2024 was performed which leads to the identification of eight relevant articles. The removal efficiencies of the various methods varied significantly, with RO showing the highest performance at 99%, followed by NF at 89.8%, UF at 61%, and MF at 25%. Despite the high efficacy of RO, limitations such as high energy consumption, membrane fouling, and waste concentrate production were noted. NF and UF also demonstrated good performance but faced challenges with specific pollutants and operational efficiency. MF, while less effective, could be useful in pre-treatment stages. The study suggests that further advancements including the integration of multiple treatment technologies are necessary to enhance performance and reduce environmental impacts. Future research should address the limitations of current methods to ensure more sustainable landfill leachate management.