Abstract
Direct discharge of municipal and industrial waste waters and leachate (originating from the illegal landfills) into recipients without prior purification is unfortunately very common practice in the region of northern Kosovo. In addition, irresponsible and incorrect selection of sites for industrial and municipal dumps, which are often located in vicinity or on actual river banks, contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Analysis of the leachate from such sites was done by direct sampling and by using TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leashing Procedures) method. Based on the analysis of physicochemical parameters of the filtrated water from the sites Zitkovac, Grabovac and Balaban and analysis of the samples of surface water and groundwater from the site Grabovac, possible steps for removal and reduction of the existing pollution were proposed. Potential permanent solution in form of purification of municipal and industrial waste waters as well as leachate from illegal landfills was suggested. The potential implementation of remediation with a unified system for water purification, by using Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR), which includes the process of stabilization/solidification of a residual sludge, would have as an end product a neutral powder material completely safe for the environment, suitable for a variety of applications.
Highlights
The attitude of a society towards the environment is a good indicator of its awareness and a level of development
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pollutants from the leachate of informal dumps on surface and ground waters in their surroundings and in view of the complexity of the problem to propose possible steps for reduction of the existing pollution and prevention of future pollution
Results of physicochemical parameters and determined contents of heavy metals leaching from dumps in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica suggest an exceptional pollution
Summary
The attitude of a society towards the environment is a good indicator of its awareness and a level of development. Illegal landfills represent one of the largest pollutants of surface and ground water, soil and atmosphere. The environment is threatened by a large number of industrial landfills, which originate from the process of Mining-MetallurgicalChemical Plant “Trepča”—RMHK Trepča. This region has the largest lead-zinc ore deposits in Kosovo and among the largest in Europe, which have been exploited with interruptions from XIII-XXI century. Surface and ground water [12] [13] may directly and indirectly enable organic and inorganic polluting substances and heavy metals to enter into the food chain [14] [15] and seriously endanger the health of people [16] [17]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pollutants from the leachate of informal dumps on surface and ground waters in their surroundings and in view of the complexity of the problem (due to a permanent emission of the pollutants from the leachate of illegal waste landfills as well as from the industrial waste deposits, that impact the quality of surface and ground waters) to propose possible steps for reduction of the existing pollution and prevention of future pollution
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