IMPACT STUDY OFGROUND WATER AND SOIL QUALITY IN AND AROUND MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DUMP-YARD IN CHIDAMBARAM TOWN

Abstract

The management of municipal solid waste has become an acute problem due to enhanced economic activities and rapid urbanization. Increased attention has been given by the government in recent years to handle this problem in a safe and hygienic manner. The impacts due to the solid waste dumpsites are not confined merely to the disposal site. Clearly such sites possess a serious health risk not just in terms of degradation of groundwater quality also due to the related problems associated with littering, scavenging birds etc. Chidambaram dump yard chosen for this study is one such dumpsite which is located nearer to schools, residential area and national highway. It may constitute an environmental problem, if the leachate migrates into the ground water. Therefore, this study we design to determine the effects of the dumpsite on the surrounding residential area in and around the dumpsite. Soil and groundwater samples were collected nearer the dumpsite to study the possible impact of solid waste effect on ground water and soil quality of the physic-chemical parameters. It has been found that most of the parameters of water are not in the acceptable limit in accordance with the IS:10500-2001 drinking water quality standards. It is concluded that the contamination is due to the solid waste materials that are dumped in the area. The pollution of soil by lead was identified.