Abstract
The study investigations were focused on assessing the influence of a 35-year-old municipal waste landfill on environmental mercury pollution. The total Hg content was determined in the soil profile, groundwater, and the plants (Solidago virgaurea and Poaceae sp.) in the landfill area. Environmental pollution near the landfill was relatively low. The topsoil layer, groundwater and the leaves of Solidago virgaurea and Poaceae sp. contained 19–271 μg kg-1, 0.36–3.01 μg l-1, 19–66 μg kg-1 and 8–29 μg kg-1 of Hg, respectively. The total Hg content in the soil decreased with the depth. The results are presented as pollution maps of the landfill area based on the total Hg content in the soil, groundwater and plants. Statistical analysis revealed the lack of correlation between the total Hg content in the soil and plants, but a relationship between the total concentration of Hg in groundwater and soil was shown. The landfill is not a direct source of pollution in the area. The type of land morphology did not influence the pollution level. Construction of bentonite cut-off wall bypassing MSW landfill reduces the risk of mercury release into ground-water environment.
Highlights
Mercury is a global contaminant posing severe risks to the health of ecosystems and humans worldwide
Statistical analysis of the results has shown a significant relationship between total Hg (THg) content in the soil layers at 0–0.20 m and 0.20–0.5 m and its concentration in groundwater
Environmental pollution near the Łubna municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill reflected in the content of THg in three soil layers, plants and groundwater was relatively low
Summary
Mercury is a global contaminant posing severe risks to the health of ecosystems and humans worldwide. The environmental contamination of land, air, water, and wildlife in various ecosystems with Hg around the world due to the natural release and extensive anthropogenic use of Hg has been a global concern for decades [1]. Global emissions of Hg in 2005 from landfills and waste utilization are estimated at 187 Mg, which is 8.1% of the total emissions from anthropogenic sources. The estimate from this sector exhibits large uncertainties due to the lack of field measurement data [2]. India produces the most Hg, with a measurement of 77.4 Mg [3], followed by China with 14.1 Mg [4], North America with 13.0 Mg [5] and Europe with 10.1 Mg [6].
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