Temporal and spatial fluctuations in bacterial abundances in four basins of a landfill leachate treatment (Etueffont, France)

The seasonal distribution of bacterial communities was assessed in a landfill leachate station located in Etueffont (Territoire de Belfort, France). Water samples were taken monthly from May 1998 to May 1999 from both the gross leachate and four lagooning basins. Bacterial numbers varied from 0.04x10(6) to 0.35x10(6) cells ml(-1) (m+/-sd=0.13x10(6)+/-0.12x10(6) cells ml(-1)). They decreased from the first to the last basin and were overall lower than those reported in literature for aquatic systems with comparable organic matter content. This may be ascribed to the leachate toxicity on bacteria.