1. The Living Machine & Leachate
By Laura Llewellyn

2. Hypothesis
The living machine will successful remove contaminants from leachate while remaining a healthy environment itself.
The living machine will remove the contaminants found in leachate but some of the aquatic life will die in the process.
The living machine will not remove a sufficient amount of contaminants found in the leachate.

3. Step 1- Anaerobic Reactor
Leachate drains from reactors (left)
To a septic tank (right)
- Leachate manually transported to tank 1
Purpose: to reduce concentrations of BOD5 and solids

4. Step 2- Anoxic Reactor promote growth of microorganisms
Settled bio-solids from clarifier can be recycled back into anoxic reactor
Aerated
Vented with plant bio-filter

5. Step 3- Closed Aerobic Reactor
reduce BOD5, odors, and stimulate nitrification
Aerated and mixed by bubble diffuser
Usually covered with bio-filter

6. Step 4- Open Aerobic Reactor
covered by vegetation
Further reduce BOD5 and nitrification

7. More Open Aerobic Reactors
size and number vary according to influent characteristics, effluent requirements, flow conditions and design
Variety of plants is key

8. Step 5- Clarifier -settling tank for remaining solids
-pumped back into closed aerobic reactor or removed

9. Step 6- Ecological Fluidized Bed
inner and outer tank with growth medium inside the inner tank
Water flows in circular motion from the outer to the inner tank
Circulation periodically reversed by air pump to prevent sludge build up

10. Water Quality Tests over 5 week period Week 1 no leachate in system
Leachate added during week 2 & 3
System design changed week 4

11. pH concentration of Hydrogen ions pH scale 1 (acidic)…
(aquatic life flourishes)
14 (alkaline/basic)

12. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) quantity of oxygen being used by water
High DO- slow uptake by microorganisms
Low DO- high demand from microorganisms
DO increases with temperature

13. Specific Conductance = measured conductance (uS)
1+.019(field temp. - 25)
- affected by presence of inorganic dissolved solids such as chloride and phosphate

14. Chloride Content
- chloride contents doubled when leachate was added to the system

15. Nitrate Content
nitrate can stimulate algae growth thus cause low levels DO
Other Living Machines have goals <5 mg/L

16. Sulfate Content Potentiometric titration of pure leachate revealed
.6 mg/L sulfide
Sulfide is converted into sulfate
Sulfate decreases around system

17. Conclusion The living machine is capable of handling the leachate.
Improvements on design will increase the machine’s capabilities…
Better flow of water around the system
Less rocks where sludge can collect
More diversity of plant life