A landfill in Minnesota receives an average of 50 cm of rainfall per year. Sixty percent of the water runs off the landfill. The landfill has a surface area of 5000 m2. The leachate from the landfill is treated for cadmium and other toxic metals. The present leachate collection system is 80% efficient.

What is the volume (in m3) of leachate that is treated per year?

A. 1600

B. 1000

C. 960

D. 800

E. 200

option D.

Explanation:

given,

Average rainfall in Minnesota = 50 cm / year

area of the landfill = 5000 m²

60% of the water runs off the landfill.

efficiency of leachate collection = 80%

volume of leachate treated per year = ?

volume of rainfall in a year

= 0.5 x 5000

= 2500 m³

Volume of water infiltrated

= 40 % of volume of rainfall

= 0.4 x 2500

= 1000 m³

Volume of leachate per year

= 80 % of 1000

= 0.8 x 1000

= 800 m³

The correct answer is option D.