Illegal Dumping Sites Research Articles

A New Approach for Prediction of 1,4-Dioxane Distribution in Groundwater at an Illegal Dumping Site in Japan

A New Approach for Prediction of 1,4-Dioxane Distribution in Groundwater at an Illegal Dumping Site in Japan

Assessment of Dissolved Heavy Metal Pollution in Five Provinces of Zambia

Zambia’s economy is hinged on mining activities with Cu being the main metal. Zn and Pb were mined at one point in Kabwe town. There are also known deposits of Co and Mn. The study focused on comparing heavy metal pollution from different regions across Zambia with a view of determining the impact of the stage of social development and economic activities on the environment. The water analysed was obtained near dump sites,farmlands, pit latrines, water reservoirs or dams, major rivers and small streams that traverse Lusaka city and towns in the Copperbelt,and water from several public taps. Analysis revealed that Mn was the largest pollution factor study areas; groundwater both near illegal dumpsites and on-site sanitation facilities did not reveal any severe pollution problems beyond drinking water permissible values (PV). Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation (r) found a strong correlation between Mn, and the two metals - Cu and Ni at r= 0.632 andr= 0.676 respectively. The other parameters (Cd, Cr, As, Zn & Pb) were not a significant factor in explaining the dissolved metal pollution in Zambia.

Numerical Simulation for Remediation Planning for 1,4-Dioxane-Contaminated Groundwater at Kuwana Illegal Dumping Site in Japan Based on the Concept of Verified Follow Up

At Kuwana illegal dumping site in Japan, where hazardous waste was illegally dumped, groundwater was severely contaminated by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Groundwater was already remedied by conducting Pump-and-Treat (P&T) after containment of all the waste by vertical slurry walls from 2002 to 2007. However, 1,4-dioxane was detected in both waste and groundwater outside of slurry walls after it was newly added into Japan environmental standards in late 2009, which suggested that the walls did not contain 1,4-dioxane completely. Our previous study developed a model to predict the 1,4-dioxane distribution in groundwater after the previous remediation at the site. In this study, numerical simulation was applied for remediation planning at the site based on the concept of Verified Follow Up (VF-UP) that had been proposed as a new approach to complete remediation effectively with consideration of future risks. The amount of waste to be removed and pumping plans were discussed by numerical simulation to achieve the remedial objective in which 1,4-dioxane in groundwater outside of walls is remedied within 10 years and 1,4-dioxane spreading throughout the walls is prevented in the case where a portion of waste is remained. Firstly, the amount of waste to be removed considering pumping plans for P&T was determined by scenario analysis. As a result, at least two-third of waste should be removed by combining with P&T. However, if the waste is remained, future risks of 1,4-dioxane spreading through the slurry walls may occur. Our simulation suggested that groundwater within the remaining waste must be pumped up at least 20 m3/d for containment of 1,4-dioxane within the remaining waste. In conclusion, our numerical simulation determined the amount of waste to be removed and the pumping plans for P&T to achieve the remedial objective effectively considering future risks based on the concept of VF-UP.

Attractiveness of roads for illegal dumping with regard to regional differences in Slovenia

The first countrywide register of illegal dump sites in Slovenia was created in 2010 and 2011. Due to its extensiveness it allows in-depth analyses of factors that affect illegal waste disposal. Prior research has already proven the impact of roads on the incidence of illegal dumps, but in this paper we investigate if regional differences significantly influence its expression. We consider the existing landscape typing, which divides Slovenia into 14 landscape-ecological types. We find significant differences between landscape types in the attractiveness of roads for disposal. They are especially pronounced when comparing the attractiveness of individual road categories.

A needs analysis method for land-use planning of illegal dumping sites: A case study in Aomori–Iwate, Japan

Land use at contaminated sites, following remediation, is often needed for regional redevelopment. However, there exist few methods of developing economically and socially feasible land-use plans based on regional needs because of the wide variety of land-use requirements. This study proposes a new needs analysis method for the conceptual land-use planning of contaminated sites and illustrates this method with a case study of an illegal dumping site for hazardous waste. In this method, planning factors consisting of the land-use attributes and related facilities are extracted from the potential needs of the residents through a preliminary questionnaire. Using the extracted attributes of land use and the related facilities, land-use cases are designed for selection-based conjoint analysis. A second questionnaire for respondents to the first one who indicated an interest in participating in the second questionnaire is conducted for the conjoint analysis to determine the utility function and marginal cost of each attribute in order to prioritize the planning factors to develop a quantitative and economically and socially feasible land-use plan. Based on the results, site-specific land-use alternatives are developed and evaluated by the utility function obtained from the conjoint analysis. In this case study of an illegal dumping site for hazardous waste, the uses preferred as part of a conceptual land-use plan following remediation of the site were (1) agricultural land and a biogas plant designed to recover energy from biomass or (2) a park with a welfare facility and an athletic field. Our needs analysis method with conjoint analysis is applicable to the development of conceptual land-use planning for similar sites following remediation, particularly when added value is considered.

Proposal of an Estimation Method of the Distribution of the Waste Layer and Contaminated Groundwater using an Electrical Resistivity Survey for Remediation of Illegal Dumping Sites

Proposal of an Estimation Method of the Distribution of the Waste Layer and Contaminated Groundwater using an Electrical Resistivity Survey for Remediation of Illegal Dumping Sites

An Assessment of Some Environmental Effects of Squatter Settlement in Dutse Alhaji, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Environment and human activities are omen to development. Bwari Area Council in FCT is one of the areas that require such development drive. The study is required to facilitate this need. This research effort is to examine the environmental effect of squatter settlement in Dutse Alhaji, Bwari Area Council. In view of the above, necessary procedures were selected to accomplish this. Approach includes the development of database and choice of appropriate data sources (primary and secondary data sources). From the methodology, there were questionnaire administration, direct interview of respondents, collection and updating of the base maps, and the use of necessary field instrument for the study. The data gathered were analysed using the descriptive method. These entail the application rank scores to percentage distribution of variables, revealing quality of basic characteristics of the squatter settlement. The end result has revealed a number of environmental problems due to the existence of these settlements (Dutse Alhaji). These problems are soil erosion, gully erosion, poor drainage system, forestation, traffic congestion, noise pollution, illegal refuse dump sites, slum situations, etc. Appropriate recommendations in form of short time and long time solution were suggested to conclude the research work. Key words :Squatter Settlement; Environmental problems; Environmental Effects

Japan's Efforts Against the Illegal Dumping of Industrial Waste

ABSTRACTStarting in 1970, Japanese businesses were made responsible for the disposal of their own industrial waste. Thereafter, in principle, tax money could no longer be used to cover the costs of industrial waste disposal, a task entrusted to private‐sector contractors engaged in waste collection, transport and disposal. Letting economic principles dictate the handling of waste – which has no intrinsic value – opened the door to the rampant problem of illegal dumping by waste‐emitting businesses; private‐sector waste disposal contractors carried on a thriving business of improper waste disposal, creating an enormous black market. To deal with the illegal dumping and improper disposal of waste, the Waste Management Act was amended several times starting in 1991. An indirect effect of creation of the Industrial Waste Site Restoration Fund in 1997 was the economic incentive for prefectures to improve their own administrative capacity; in addition, the strengthening of punitive measures not only suppressed criminal activity but also created the incentive for law enforcement to improve its capabilities. Another amendment in 2000 gave waste‐emitting businesses greater responsibility for waste disposal, and the fact that they could become liable for costs, even if not in violation of the Act when waste disposal was subcontracted out, gave them the incentive to select trustworthy contractors with which to deal. As a result, problems such as illegal dumping have begun to decline. Several issues remain for Japan to address, among them some institutional problems in dealing with illegal dumping sites that have not been immediately cleaned up, and the fact that unscrupulous operators are exploiting a loophole that fails to classify contaminated soil as waste, still allowing them to dump it illegally. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Biodegradation of Dichloromethane in the Groundwater at Illegal Waste Dump Site

About 800,000 tones of wastes have been piled up or buried illegally at prefectural boundary area between Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Over 200 drums that contained organic solvent were buried and the solvent leaked from the drums resulting into the pollution of soils and groundwater. Dichloromethane (DCM) is one of pollutants and its concentration in groundwater was over 100 ppm. We have studied whether indigenous bacteria in the groundwater in the polluted site degraded DCM under aerobic conditions. Gas-tight vials with 10 ml of groundwater samples and 5 ml of headspace were shaken at 25°C. After 15 days of shaking, DCM concentration in a sample decreased from 108 ppm to 25 ppm. The bacteria population was subcultured using DCM as substrate without other organic matters. The bacteria population degraded DCM, and chloride concentration increased, indicating that DCM was degraded biologically. The effects of pH and TCE were investigated on the biodegradation of DCM. The experimental results indicated that bioremediation by indigenous bacteria is promising way to remedy DCM contaminated soil and groundwater at the illegal waste dump site.

Detection of Illegal Dumping Sites by Using Vegetation Index and Land Surface Feature from High Resolution Satellite Images

Detection of Illegal Dumping Sites by Using Vegetation Index and Land Surface Feature from High Resolution Satellite Images

Forensic Geology in Environmental Crime: Illegal Waste Movement & Burial in Northern Ireland

The illegal burial of waste often occurs in locations where loose, transferable material is abundant, allowing covert pits to be dug or filled. The transfer of waste material onto suspects and their vehicles during loading, unloading, and burial is common, as is the case during other criminal activities such as the burial of murder victims. We use two case studies to show that the established principles of using geological materials in excluding or linking suspects can be applied to illegal waste disposal. In the first case, the layering of different geological materials on the tailgate of a container used to transport toxic waste demonstrated where the vehicle had been and denied the owner's alibi, associating him with an illegal dumpsite. In the second case, an unusual suite of minerals, recovered from a suspect's trousers, provided the intelligence that led environmental law enforcement officers to an illegal waste burial site.

The potential monetary benefits of reclaiming hazardous waste sites in the Campania region: an economic evaluation.

BackgroundEvaluating the economic benefit of reducing negative health outcomes resulting from waste management is of pivotal importance for designing an effective waste policy that takes into account the health consequences for the populations exposed to environmental hazards. Despite the high level of Italian and international media interest in the problem of hazardous waste in Campania little has been done to reclaim the land and the waterways contaminated by hazardous waste.ObjectiveThis study aims to reduce the uncertainty about health damage due to waste exposure by providing for the first time a monetary valuation of health benefits arising from the reclamation of hazardous waste dumps in Campania.MethodsFirst the criteria by which the landfills in the Campania region, in particular in the two provinces of Naples and Caserta, have been classified are described. Then, the annual cases of premature death and fatal cases of cancers attributable to waste exposure are quantified. Finally, the present value of the health benefits from the reclamation of polluted land is estimated for each of the health outcomes (premature mortality, fatal cancer and premature mortality adjusted for the cancer premium). Due to the uncertainty about the time frame of the benefits arising from reclamation, the latency of the effects of toxic waste on human health and the lack of context specific estimates of the Value of Preventing a Fatality (VPF), extensive sensitivity analyses are performed.ResultsThere are estimated to be 848 cases of premature mortality and 403 cases of fatal cancer per year as a consequence of exposure to toxic waste. The present value of the benefit of reducing the number of waste associated deaths after adjusting for a cancer premium is €11.6 billion. This value ranges from €5.4 to €20.0 billion assuming a time frame for benefits of 10 and 50 years respectively.ConclusionThis study suggests that there is a strong economic argument for both reclaiming the land contaminated with hazardous waste in the two provinces of Naples and Caserta and increasing the control of the territory in order to avoid the creation of new illegal dump sites.

Association between Waste Management and Cancer in Companion Animals

Increased cancer rates have been documented in people residing in areas around Naples characterized by illegal dumping and incineration of waste. Risk of cancer in dogs and cats is associated with waste management. Four hundred and fifty-three dogs and cats with cancer and 1,554 cancer-free animals. Hospital-based case-control study in Naples (low danger) and nearby cities having a history of illegal waste dumping (high danger). Odds ratio (OR) between high- and low-danger areas was calculated for all tumors and various malignancies in dogs and cats. An increased risk for cancer development was identified in dogs but not in cats residing in high-danger areas (OR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.03; P < .01). A 2.39-fold increased risk of lymphoma (P < .01) accounted for the greater tumor frequency in dogs residing in high-danger areas. The risk of mast cell tumor and mammary cancer did not differ in dogs residing in high- or low-danger areas. Waste emission from illegal dumping sites increases cancer risk in dogs residing in high-danger areas. An increased prevalence of lymphoma has been previously recognized in humans living close to illegal waste dumps. Thus, epidemiological studies of spontaneous tumors in dogs might suggest a role for environmental factors in canine and human carcinogenesis and can predict health hazards for humans.

Genotoxic Assessment of Small Mammals at an Illegal Dumpsite at the Aomori-Iwate Prefectural Boundary

In 2003, we examined the chromosomes of grass voles at an illegal dumpsite at the Aomori-lwate prefectural boundary. In subsequent years, from 2003-2006, we surveyed the chromosomes of four species of small mammals, namely, the Japanese grass vole (Microtus montebelli), the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus), the small Japanese field mouse (A. argenteus), and the greater Japanese shrew mole (Urotrichus talpoides). Each annual survey revealed, both on a yearly basis and during the entire period in question, that the frequencies of breaks and gaps in chromosomes of M. montebelli were significantly higher at the dumpsite than on the outskirts and in controls, suggesting that grass voles at the dumpsite have been subject to continuous genotoxic effects since the establishment of the dumpsite. We also ascertained that grass voles are much more susceptible to chromosomal damage than field mice and shrew moles, which had very low levels of chromosomal aberrations at the dumpsite, on the outskirts of the dumpsite, and in controls. Our four-year survey revealed two variants of M. montebelli from the dumpsite with M6 fission (2n=31), two variants of A. speciosus from the outskirts with XO monosomy (2n=47, XO), and a variant of A. speciosus from the dumpsite with situs inversus. Our analysis confirms our previously proposed hypothesis that M. montebelli might be useful as an indicator species for genotoxic assessment of below-ground pollution by industrial waste at illegal dumpsites.

Studies on contaminant transport at an industrial waste dumpsite of Bangalore, India

Industrialization and urbanization has produced various types of wastes that sometimes are dumped in low-lying areas without proper treatment and engineering controls. Bangalore district has more than 60 illegal dumpsites consisting of either municipal or industrial waste. Government records indicate that more than 1,500 industries are working at various industrial areas and other locations around the city. In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize the Bommasandra industrial area dump site located at the south of Bangalore. This dump site is 15 to 20 years old and spreads on an area of 12.7 acres. Around 60 to 70 industries of all nature are located around this dump site. A large number of soil samples were collected and after site characterization of soil properties, an attempt has been made to predict the transport behavior of selected chemical species using available mathematical models and a program based on MATLAB- 7 to study the migration properties of these selected chemical species as a function of time. Also a model provided by USEPA DRASTIC has been used. The DRASTIC Index found for this dumpsite was 146; therefore, one can conclude that the studied dumpsite is moderately vulnerable to pollutants. The migrating behavior of cations such as sodium, calcium and anions such as sulphate, chloride were considered. It was observed that cations are better retarded in comparison to anions. This was attributed to exchangeable chemical reactions.

揮発性有機化合物で複合汚染された不法投棄廃棄物浄化のための基礎的研究 微生物分解の嫌気―好気切り替え効果の検討

揮発性有機化合物で複合汚染された不法投棄廃棄物浄化のための基礎的研究 微生物分解の嫌気―好気切り替え効果の検討

Geophysical techniques in the study of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

Geophysical surveys in particular ground penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and vertical resistivity probe (VRP) were used in mapping subsurface geological structures and groundwater contaminants at Sungai Kandis, Klang to identify the approximate boundaries of contaminant plumes and to provide stratigraphic information at this site. The study area was formerly an illegal dumping site of hydrocarbon and toxic waste. A good correlation exists between GPR signatures, ERT layers, vertical resistivity probe and the contaminated soil. The presence of contaminant plumes as well as the water table are also observed in the GPR and ERT sections at depths approximately of 0.5 to 1 m. In this study, a total of 16 GPR traverses and 10 ERT lines with lengths from 30 to 100 m were established. VRP measurements were conducted in 14 shallow boreholes with a maximum depth of about 1m. The VRP results show high apparent resistivity values ranging from 200 to 10000 Ωm associated with oil contaminated layer. The presence of this layer was also detected in the 2D resistivity sections as a thin band of high resistivity values ranging from 60 to 200 Ωm. In the GPR section, the oil contaminated layer exhibits discontinuous, subparallel and chaotic high amplitude reflection patterns.

Chromosomal Aberrations in Japanese Grass Voles in and Around an Illegal Dumpsite at the Aomori-Iwate Prefectural Boundary

Bone marrow chromosomes of thirty specimens of the Japanese grass vole, Microtus montebelli (2n=30), which had been caught on and near an illegal dumpsite at the Aomori-Iwate prefectural boundary, were analyzed and compared with those of fifteen grass voles from non-polluted areas as part of an effort to assess genotoxic influences on grass voles in the dumpsite area. Fifty metaphases per specimen were examined with particular attention to numerical and structural aberrations. Two specimens from the dumpsite had 2n=31, which was confirmed by G-banding analysis to have been caused by centric fission of M6 homologs, while control specimens had no such abnormality. In specimens from the polluted area, the mean number of chromosomal aberrations (breaks and/or gaps) per 50 metaphases per specimen was 2.57+/-0.41, which was significantly higher than that (0.80+/-0.14; P<0.01) in control specimens. Chromosomal aberrations were randomly distributed on chromosomes, with frequencies being proportional to the relative lengths of chromosomes. Our findings suggest that grass voles at and around the dumpsite have been seriously damaged at the chromosomal level and, moreover, that M. montebelli might be useful as an indicator species for genotoxic assessment of below-ground pollution by industrial waste at illegal dumpsites.

不法投棄発生場所となる都市公園および周辺地域の特徴に関する考察

The purpose of this case study was to clarify the characteristics of urban parks and their neighboring areas located close to illegal dumping sites in Sapporo City. A survey of data collected by illegal dumping monitoring patrols conducted by the Sapporo Environment Bureau identified 2,120 illegal dumping sites in the period from 2004 to 2006. Spatial analysis using GIS revealed that 62.5% of these illegal dumping sites were within urban regulated area, usually close to the border of the urban area. In addition, illegal dumping sites were more numerous in industrial zones of the urban area. Fifteen urban parks, each located close to more than two illegal dumping sites, were extracted from this set and used as case studies. The findings revealed that land use type of the areas surrounding the 15 urban parks and planting density of the urban parks themselves affected the occurrence of illegal dumping. Based on these observations, several characteristics related to urban park design and maintenance measures designed to restrict the extent of illegal dumping were identified.

Dumping sites in the Ljubljansko polje water protection area, the primary source of Ljubljana’s drinking water

Ljubljansko polje is a gravel plain lying along the Sava River north of Ljubljana. Although built-up areas are steadily expanding, the water protection area has helped preserve the character of relatively intensely cultivated agricultural land at least in its central part. However, illegal dumping sites pose a threat to the groundwater in the gravel aquifer. In the narrowest and narrow water protection areas of Ljubljansko polje, we have found, registered, and studied 1,445 illegal dumping sites with a total surface area amounting to 120,816 m2 and a total volume of 209,422 m3. A good seventh (13.5%) of the total waste is hazardous. In the area surveyed, we also registered 86 gravel pits, 47 information and warning signs, and 57 road barriers on access roads. In time, it will be necessary to rehabilitate all the illegal dumping sites; however, due to the large quantity of waste it is unrealistic to expect this to happen in one go, and we have therefore established a priority schedule for the rehabilitation.