Application of ozone technology in leachate treatment for sustainable development: A brief review

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of ozone technology in leachate treatment, including its characteristics, sources, treatment efficiency, and associated challenges. The study highlights the effectiveness of ozone-based methods in removing major pollutants such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) from landfill leachate, achieving removal efficiencies of up to 99.8% for COD and 91.14% for NH₄⁺-N under optimized experimental conditions. However, several limitations remain, including high energy consumption, the potential formation of harmful by-products (e.g., bromates and aldehydes), and challenges related to regulatory compliance. The review also summarizes recent advances in ozone-assisted leachate treatment and identifies key barriers to large-scale application, with particular emphasis on Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam generates approximately 4.3 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which more than 70% is disposed of in landfills, while leachate treatment remains inadequate, leading to serious environmental impacts. This study adopts a systematic approach, integrating data analysis, result synthesis, and comparative evaluation of studies published between 2014 and 2025. The findings provide a valuable reference for researchers and policymakers concerned with sustainable leachate management and the application of ozone technology, thereby offering a clear basis and direction for future research.