Jorge Del’Angel
Purdue University, PhD
EREF Scholar 2024
The Viability of Producing an Economical and Effective Fertilizer from Landfill Leachate to Promote a Circular Economy
Landfill leachate is a liquid that forms when rainwater mixes with decomposing landfill waste, creating a liquid mix of chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other organic and inorganic substances. This “landfill runoff” can be harmful if it seeps into groundwater, polluting water sources, and it is expensive to treat at wastewater facilities due to its concentration and chemical diversity. The research being done explores the possibility of using leachate as a fertilizer, which would take advantage of the organic compounds it contains while also reducing the environmental impact and treatment costs. By repurposing landfill leachate, this method could be particularly helpful in regions facing water scarcity, struggling with waste management, or lacking funds for traditional fertilizers. This research seeks to determine how effective landfill leachate is as a fertilizer by studying its components, testing its ability to support plant growth, and evaluating the overall cost of the process.
Biography
Jorge Del’Angel, originally from Orrville, Alabama, earned his bachelor’s degree in Biological & Agricultural Systems Engineering with a minor in Global Agriculture from Florida A&M University, graduating in 2021. He then completed his Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 2023 at the joint Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, where his thesis focused on correlating landfill surface methane concentrations with total landfill methane emissions (flux). Currently, Jorge is pursuing his Doctorate in Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, with research centered on developing fertilizers from landfill leachate. His doctoral work aligns with his career goal of aiding agricultural development in resource-scarce countries while promoting waste reuse. Jorge’s professional experience includes an internship as a Field Engineer at Promus Engineering, where he performed CQA/CQC work on various landfill projects across the South, as well as participation in water access and quality projects in rural areas of the Dominican Republic during a yearlong service-learning course. In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Jorge is actively involved in community service, currently serving as President of the Black Graduate Student Association, Professional Development Chair for the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Graduate Student Association, and volunteering with his church Acts 2 Fellowship.
