REDUCTION OF ORGANIC MATTER AND PATHOGENIC BACTERIA CONTAINED IN UNTREATED LANDFILL LEACHATE USING PARAMECIUM SPSUNARDI, SURTI DJUWITA AND KABUL FADILAHAbstract Leachate contamination from landfill is becoming one of the most problematic environmental issues due to the risks it poses to the environment and human health. Elimination of leachate contaminants from the environment is challenging. In this study, Paramecium sp. (a protozoan) was used to investigate the effectiveness of a biological agent in removing coliform bacteria and organics from landfill leachate. A sample of leachate was collected from the Rajamandala landfill in Bandung Barat Regency, Indonesia. The experimental set up consisted of three concentrations of Paramecium sp.20 ml/L, 30 ml/L and 40 ml/L prepared as three replicates. The tests were carried out over a seven-day period for coliform bacteria elimination and over 14 days for biological oxygen demand (BOD) treatment. The results indicated that Paramecium sp. was reliable at reducing coliform bacteria and BOD from the leachate. The highest reduction of BOD occurred in the 30 ml/L (about 34.16%) sample, similarly to the total coliform bacteria, with 99% of the bacteria eliminated at this concentration. The application of Paramecium sp. is, therefore, worthy of consideration in landfill wastewater treatment systems.
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