Abstract

Conventional clay capping for post-closure management of landfill commonly cracks and deteriorates over time. As a consequence, water ingress into waste increases as a function of time, potentially causing a range of environmental issues. An alternative approach is known as phytocapping, which utilizes select plant species to control cap stability and moisture percolation. In this study, growth of Arundo donax L. (giant reed), Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (Indian mustard), and Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) on a landfill site was studied with different biosolid amendment rates (0, 25, and 50 Mg ha−1). Cultivation of the landfill cap and amendment with biosolids significantly improved the characteristics of the soil. Growth of each plant species increased due to biosolid addition. Giant reed produced the largest biomass in the 50 Mg ha−1 biosolid amendment rate (38 Mg ha−1 dry weight). The high pH and clay content of landfill cap soil, and the low metal concentrations of the biosolid resulted in low heavy metal (copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead) accumulation in leaves of most treatments. The improvement in growth and limited uptake of metal contaminants to plant shoots indicated that biosolid application to landfill clay caps improves the application of phytocapping of old landfill sites.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.