Abstract
The formation of leachate is one of the inevitable consequences associated with the operation of landfills. In addition to the study of physicochemical composition, toxicity is an important parameter taken into account, among others because of the need to subject leachate to treatment before discharge into the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of leachate contamination using LPI and toxicity index. An analysis of the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the calculated LPI values was also carried out to assess whether they could provide a measure of leachate toxicity when selecting a treatment method. The research conducted was to determine the degree of leachate contamination using LPI and toxicity index. An analysis of the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the calculated LPI values was also carried out to assess whether they could provide a measure of leachate toxicity when selecting a treatment method. Calculated values of the leachate pollution index showed that leachates from selected Polish landfills are characterized by low and medium levels of LPI values. The variation in index values obtained was particularly evident between active and closed landfills and was related to the physicochemical composition of leachates. In closed landfills this value ranged from 7.4 to 11.1, while in active landfills from 12.9 to 15.9. The variation in index values obtained was particularly evident between active and inactive landfills and was related to the physicochemical composition of leachates. Phytotoxicity tests showed that leachate at low concentrations can promote plant growth. At higher concentrations (50 and 100%), leachates caused inhibition of root and shoot growth, which correlated with high LPI values. The results confirmed the relationship between the toxic effect on plants and the LPI values, so it can be considered as a reliable indicator of leachate toxicity.
Highlights
In many countries landfilling is still a popular method of municipal waste disposal due to the fact that it is considered easy and cost-effective (Nagarajan et al, 2012; Rana et al, 2018)
Leachate Properties (LPI and Phytotoxicity) only 1% of waste went to landfills
The pH values of the studied leachates, from active and inactive landfills were in the range of 7.4–8.7, which is typical of leachates from older and mature landfills (Jorstad et al, 2004)
Summary
In many countries landfilling is still a popular method of municipal waste disposal due to the fact that it is considered easy and cost-effective (Nagarajan et al, 2012; Rana et al, 2018). According to Eurostat, on average, 38.7% of municipal waste went to landfills in the European Union countries in 2018. The largest amount of municipal waste (among EU countries) in 2018 was collected in Germany and it was more than 50 million tons, of which. In Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, where 1% of the collected municipal waste went to landfill in 2018. In Poland, almost 12 million tons of municipal waste was collected in 2018, of which 43% went to landfills. The formation of leachate is one of the inevitable consequences associated with the operation of landfills. Leachate formation is one of the most important factors that is considered in the operation and long-term management of municipal landfills (Tränkler et al, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
