Which liquid forms when rainwater or groundwater flows through decomposing waste?

Which liquid forms when rainwater or groundwater flows through decomposing waste?

• A. Seepage
• B. Leachate
• C. Cap
• D. Sludge

Answer: (B)

When moisture moves through decomposing waste, it picks up dissolved substances from the waste and becomes a contaminated liquid called leachate. This liquid can carry a variety of pollutants—organic compounds, salts, metals, ammonia, and other compounds—making it a major concern for groundwater and surface water protection unless it’s collected and treated properly. Seepage is a general term for water moving through soils and isn’t specific to waste-derived liquid. A landfill cap is the impermeable cover used to limit infiltration, not a liquid. Sludge is the semi-solid material produced from wastewater treatment. So the liquid formed specifically by rainwater or groundwater flowing through decomposing waste is leachate.

When moisture moves through decomposing waste, it picks up dissolved substances from the waste and becomes a contaminated liquid called leachate. This liquid can carry a variety of pollutants—organic compounds, salts, metals, ammonia, and other compounds—making it a major concern for groundwater and surface water protection unless it’s collected and treated properly. Seepage is a general term for water moving through soils and isn’t specific to waste-derived liquid. A landfill cap is the impermeable cover used to limit infiltration, not a liquid. Sludge is the semi-solid material produced from wastewater treatment. So the liquid formed specifically by rainwater or groundwater flowing through decomposing waste is leachate.