Effect of heavy metals contamination due to leachate migration from uncontrolled dumpsites: A comprehensive analysis on soil and groundwater

Abstract

In the contemporary era, the widespread practice of open dumping persists as a major method for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal, contributing significantly to global environmental degradation and posing severe health risks. Deficient waste management systems result in over 90% of waste being openly discarded or burned at numerous unregulated dumpsites, particularly in developing nations like India. This research focuses on the active waste dumping site, Bhandewadi Dumpsite in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, aiming to assess soil and groundwater contamination caused by the release of toxic elements into the surrounding region. Various parameters, such as the index of geoaccumulation, contamination factor, potential ecological risk, heavy metal pollution index, and water metal index were employed to evaluate the impact of the dumpsite. Results indicated heavy contamination in soil and groundwater samples, particularly from Bidgoan Road and Pardi, with elevated levels of metals, such as Cr, Ni, and Pb within 2 km radius of Bhandewadi dumpsite, Nagpur (India). The principal component analysis confirmed these locations as highly polluted, emphasizing the influence of leachate migration from the uncontrolled dumpsite. The findings underscore the urgent need to improve waste management strategies at municipal landfills and highlight the importance of policy measures to control environmental pollution and the introduction of scientific methods to curb the migration of metals into the environment.