Abstract
We conducted experiments on dry batteries that contained mercury and were buried in waste in small lysimeters for 15 years. We dismantled the lysimeters after 1 year, 2 years, 7 years, and 15 years from the start of the experiment, and measured the corrosion levels of the dry batteries and the behavior of mercury leakage from them into the waste layers.
The corrosion of the dry batteires in landfill during the first two years was caused mainly by the leachate generated in the different landfill types, and electrolytic corrosion caused by the retention voltage of the dry batteries.
After those initial years, during which the retention voltage was consumed, the period of time in the landfill became the main factor for the corrosion of the dry batteries. The longer the dry batteries remained in the landfill, the more extensive the electrolytic corrosion.
We confirmed a little migration of mercury into leachate ; however, we also noted that mercury vapor was generated that migrated into waste layers.
Even after 15 years from the start of the experiment, mercury levels near the dry batteries were still high. However, the mercury levels just above and just below the waste layers containing the dry batteries were low. From these results, we concluded that mercury has a tendency to remain near dry batteries even after many years.
