Initiation of methanogenesis in municipal solid waste. 1. The effect of heavy metals on the initiation of methanogenesis in MSW leachate

The significance of dissolved heavy metal concentrations on the initiation of methanogenesis in leachate produced from anaerobically fermenting refuse was examined. Zinc inhibited methane production at a concentration of 100 mg I−1 but lead, copper and iron were not inhibitory at concentrations typically observed in refuse derived leachate. High concentrations of VFA s as typically found in leachate were not the principal cause of inhibition. The implications of these findings for the initiation of methanogenesis in refuse are discussed.