Landfill Closure Research Articles

Groundwater Quality in The Region That Hosted the Largest Open Dump in Latin America: Ten Years of Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the quality of groundwater in the Estrutural Administrative Region, located in the Central region of the Federal District, Brazil, before and after the closure of the largest open-air landfill in Latin America. Theoretical Framework: Brazilian legislation, Ordinance 888 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and CONAMA resolution 396 are highlighted for comparison with the findings of the study, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes the analysis of groundwater monitoring data carried out by the Regulatory Agency for Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation of the Federal District (ADASA), carried out in two wells: shallow and deep, with 30 and 70 meters of depth, respectively, located 140 meters from the former landfill. Of the 33 parameters collected by ADASA between 2013 and 2022, 21 were analyzed. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that there is evidence of groundwater contamination, especially in the monitoring of shallow wells. Public policies should be implemented to protect this vulnerable population. Regarding the limitations of the study, we can mention the use of secondary data and the performance of a non-parametric test. Inadequacies in monitoring, such as the lack of standardization in the evaluation of parameters and the absence of periodic data on important parameters, such as microbiological parameters, limit the study and prevent more robust statistical analyses. Research Implications: The results of this research can help in the formulation or improvement of public policies for territorial management and urban solid waste management, mainly related to the evaluation of the quality of groundwater near landfills and dumps and the conditions of access to drinking water by vulnerable populations in their surroundings. Originality/Value: The study proposes a practical approach to assess the quality of groundwater in a region impacted by a landfill, based on comprehensive monitoring in the following aspects: spatial (use of a pair of shallow and deep wells); temporal (10-year series of data); qualitative (analysis of more than 20 parameters); and social (assessment of potential impacts on vulnerable populations that use groundwater for consumption). The results highlight the need for integrated action between land use and occupation management policies (in relation to vulnerable populations and occupations in risk areas); basic sanitation (mainly regarding the management of urban solid waste and the supply of drinking water); and public health (with regard to the quality of water available for human consumption).

Improving Service Quality at Bank Sampah APEL, Sleman Yogyakarta, Through a Digitalization Program

Background: Yogyakarta faces a waste crisis due to the Piyungan landfill closure, with Sleman generating 320 tons of waste daily. Waste Banks like APEL in Sleman manage waste through composting, recycling, and crafting, reducing waste and offering economic benefits. Contribution: The application of excel in the preparation of financial statements will contribute greatly to improve the quality of financial statements presented by BUMDes and have an impact on the effectiveness of decision making which ultimately supports the progress of these BUMDes. Method: APEL employs the 3R system, raising environmental awareness but faces challenges in manual management and limited digital promotion. BUMDes Damar Limo manages diverse transactions and must produce key financial reports. Results: BUMDes Damar Limo of central Bengkulu Region. has CekDam tourism, tourist trains and batik production as main business. Transactions that occur in these BUMdes include receipt of capital deposits, purchases of vehicles, equipment, raw materials, merchandise inventory, and supplies, payment of salaries and other costs, and revenue generation. The reports that must be presented include the income statement, statement of financial position, and statement of BUMdes health. Conclusion: The implementation of the Excel Accounting has an impact on presenting higher quality financial statements and managing BUMDes efficiently and professionally

Support for Landfill Closure Decisions through Multidimensional Assessment of Waste Stabilization

Support for Landfill Closure Decisions through Multidimensional Assessment of Waste Stabilization

Ekoteologi dalam Pemikiran Seyyed Hossein Nasr dan Relasi Agama-Masyarakat

Environmental issues have become a major concern in recent years. In fact, the impact that is always felt is the widespread pollution, the problem of waste that is increasingly accumulating until the closure of several landfills (TPA) in Indonesia. This paper tries to reopen our insight into environmental concerns in the concept of Seyyed Hossein Nasr. The research method used is qualitative based on library research with descriptive analysis. This paper also discusses how religion-society relations and environmental concerns become social actions that should be of common concern. It focuses on our understanding of environmental care as God's creatures who maintain stability between nature and life. Khalifah, as the basis of Seyyed Hossein Nasr's perspective, is a task that should be carried out by every human being. But in reality, attention to the environment is secondary in life, so that the impact felt today is extreme climate change and increased pollution.

Bird deterrent measures at a landfill decreased the productivity of a dependent population of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Landfills provide an abundant and predictable food source for avifauna. The energy and time that are saved because of landfill‐foraging have had positive effects on the distribution of bird breeding populations and their reproductive parameters. However, the proliferation of individuals coinciding with the appearance of landfills often increases human–wildlife conflicts and intensifies the contact between waste and the environment. In this context, a landfill in Madrid (Spain) implemented deterrent measures in 2021 aiming to reduce the influx of birds inside its facilities. This study aims to describe the effects that a reduction in the accessibility and availability of landfill food resources may have had on the surrounding breeding populations of White Stork Ciconia ciconia. For this purpose, the breeding parameters of three populations with different landfill use indices were analysed before and after the application of bird deterrent measures. The closest population, with the highest landfill use index, suffered a drastic reduction in fledgling productivity during the breeding season with bird deterrent measures. On the other hand, a drought during one of the breeding seasons negatively affected the productivity of the populations that relied partially and completely on natural food resources (located at medium and long distance from the landfill, respectively). Landfill‐foraging might have mitigated the consequences of the natural food scarcity caused by this drought, even with the application of bird deterrent measures. Overall, our results show the potential negative impact of bird deterrent measures on populations dependent on landfill food, and highlight the importance of assessing the effect of these techniques beyond the site to determine their appropriateness. Due to the imminent closure of landfills and the expected worsening consequences of climate change, monitoring programmes should be established to determine the long‐term effects of bird deterrent measures and unusual environmental conditions on White Stork populations.

Analysis of long-term MSW settlement based on field data measured at two closed landfills

Waste settlement characteristics vary depending on waste composition, physical properties, waste management operations, and time. In this study, the post-closure waste settlement behavior was analyzed using field data measured at two closed municipal solid waste landfills in Korea, for 23 and 5 years after landfill closure. The long-term waste settlement data was analyzed to derive a time-varying long-term compression ratio (CLT) that was consistent with modeled biodegradation processes. A statistical assessment of the field data was conducted to examine the relationship between CLT and several factors that may affect the observed settlements. The CLT of Landfill #1 and #2 was found to vary between the two landfills that had differences in the percentage of organic matter (B0), total unit weight (γwaste), and moisture content (w) due to changes in waste management policies.

Influencing factors of bentonite for the directional electric repair of landfill HDPE membrane leakage in calcium ion solution

The timely repair of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) membrane leakage in landfills is an important means of environmental risk control, which is critical for preventing leachate from polluting groundwater and soil. Electric repair technology is expected to become a hot spot in the leakage repair of HDPE films, because it can solve the issues of complex operation, high costs, and security risks during the operation and closure of landfills. To explore the influence law of various technical factors on the electric repair process, we carried out single factor experiments on the main influencing factors such as the operation time, bentonite concentration and dispersant/bentonite dosage ratio, leakage size, and calcium concentration. We then explored the best technological conditions. The results showed that accumulation at the leakage site possessed a good repair effect with a permeability coefficient of 4.22 × 10−6 cm/s. Furthermore, we observed that the Zeta potential played an important role in the electric repair technology, where the higher the absolute value of the Zeta potential, the faster the electrophoretic migration rate of the bentonite particles, and the lower the permeability coefficient of accumulation. This study may serve as a theoretical basis and offer scientific guidance for the directional electric repair of HDPE membrane leakage during the operating period and after the closure of landfills.

Analisis Pengaruh Ditutupnya Tempat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA) Piyungan Terhadap Keputusan Manajemen Keuangan UMKM

This research aims to investigate the process and impact of closing the Piyungan Final Disposal Site in the city of Yogyakarta to explore the economic impact. The research method used is a case study with a qualitative approach, including document analysis, in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, and field observations. The research results show that the closure of the landfill in Piyungan involves several crucial stages, including planning, technical implementation, and post-closure management. The effects of these landfill closures include causing significant changes in the local economy.

Multidimensional factors of community behavioral responses and implications to landfill closures: A case study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

This study examines how a community in Yogyakarta, Indonesia reacts to the closing of local landfills. It identifies different groups within the community, such as those primarily concerned with health and aesthetics, those exhibiting proactive behaviors, and those acutely aware of the broader impacts. These groups show varying responses to the closures, from adjusting personal habits to calling for policy changes. The findings suggest a need for policies that are flexible and considerate of the community's diverse priorities and behaviors. In conclusion, landfill closures have complex effects on communities that require a thoughtful analysis. The study shows that personal choices and proactive behaviors are crucial in encouraging community involvement in waste management. However, there's a hesitancy to pay more for such services, indicating a gap in community responsibility and environmental stewardship. The research advocates for sustainable waste management solutions that are aligned with the community's values and behaviors, urging policymakers to design inclusive and sustainable systems for waste management that support the long-term well-being of both the community and the environment.

Waste Management: Landfill Selection Using Gis and Analytical Hierarchy Process

The widespread use of landfilling as a convenient waste management method has become unsustainable due to the rapid development causing a surge in waste generation, threatening the lifespan of existing landfills. The closure of landfills presents waste management challenges, necessitating more extensive garbage disposal facilities to accommodate the growing urban population. However, poor site selection methods can have a negative impact on both the environment and human health, which goes against the objectives of sustainable development goal (SDG). Methods like Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) facilitate decision-making processes. This integration reduces analysis time and costs enhances accuracy and minimizes errors. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides a framework to validate judgments and derive measurable values in decision-making involving theories and concepts. In this study, several criteria were used to create a final suitability map which is the distance from the residential area, distance from the plantation area, distance from the main road, distance from waterways, type of soil, slope, and land cover. The results indicate that distance from residential has the highest weightage of importance, which is 27%. It also found that the highly suitable new landfill area is located at Batu in Kuala Langat, Pulau Carey, and Bukit Rotan in Kuala Selangor.

Assessment of environmental impacts of the Céu Azul Dump, Camaragibe/PE, Brazil

Dumps consist of inadequate disposal of solid waste, causing soil and water contamination, air pollution, and proliferation of vectors. After the landfill's closure, it continues to cause environmental damage and public health, requiring adequate site remediation. Thus, an ecological diagnosis is necessary to characterize the environmental situation found before carrying out the closure project. Therefore, this diagnosis should represent the first stage and the basis for all projects, where it is possible to describe and identify environmental impacts and point out the best ways to mitigate these generated impacts. This study aimed to evaluate the ecological effects of the Céu Azul dump in Camaragibe, Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco. The investigation began employing the physiographic characterization of the area, where the climate, hydrology, geology, geomorphology, and pedology of the region of the old dump. Subsequently, field and laboratory tests, such as SPT-type soundings, infiltration tests, flow plates, soil collection, and surface and underground water quality in the surrounding area, were carried out. Regarding the assessment of environmental impacts, the main impacting factors verified in areas of final waste disposal were first drawn up (whether or not an occurrence was confirmed). After this step, each impact was hierarchized in such a way as to allow a more precise visualization of the diagnostic scenario. In the case analyzed, the Camaragibe municipal dump has negative environmental impacts, which require remediation of the area.

Using an engineered turf cover to support PV solar systems on landfills

Using landfills as solar sites saves natural lands from destruction. The large space of a closed landfill usually has limited redevelopment options due to restricted site access and long-term operation and maintenance requirements. A solar farm built on top of a closed landfill can generate additional revenue to offset post-closure maintenance costs and transform the otherwise undevelopable site into a renewal energy asset. A new solution has been developed in recent years to use an engineered turf cover to close a landfill, which serves as a foundation to support a low-profile photovoltaic (PV) solar power generation system. Case studies are presented to demonstrate field installation and performance of this new landfill closure and solar development solution.

Radiation safety assessments for radioactive concrete recycling workers and residents

Carried out was the assessment of the radiation safety for the recycling workers of the radioactive concrete generated from nuclear power plants and nearby residents. Decommissioning of a nuclear power plant with an electric output of 1000 MW generates approximately 500,000 tons of concrete waste. It is important to reduce the volume of concrete waste to reduce the costs of decommissioning projects. For this purpose, the low-level radioactive cement powder from bioshield concrete is recycled as a solidifying agent. The number of radioactive concrete waste drums to be disposed is reduced by extracting cement from the radioactive concrete and using it as a solidifying agent, rather than using cement from general industrial waste. Various exposure scenarios exist, and it is necessary to evaluate the radiation dose in each scenario. In this study, seven scenarios were selected and evaluated. The radioactive exposure to facility workers, nuclear power plant workers, and landfill management workers is within the annual dose limit, even if they work 2000 h per year. A loader can work close to the drum for 90–93 h per year, and a truck driver can drive 621 one-way trucks per year. Dose evaluations for road users and residents after landfill closure showed that both had values far below the dose limit for the public. Bioshield concrete recycling was confirmed to be radiologically safe in all scenarios if certain conditions were satisfied. Thus, this study showed that cement powder from bioshield concrete could be used safely without exceeding the radiation safety limits for workers and the public when recycling concrete.

Geothermal gradients in a high-organic content landfill

Geothermal gradients in a high-organic content landfill

Model projections reveal a recent decrease in a yellow-legged gull population after landfill closure

Model projections reveal a recent decrease in a yellow-legged gull population after landfill closure

Influence of landfill use on nest‐site selection and breeding success in white storks

AbstractLandscape transformation by humans through habitat degradation, agriculture intensification and urbanization results in the loss of natural feeding areas. However, populations of certain species have adapted to these changes and benefit from some anthropogenic food sources as well as an absence of predators and milder environmental conditions in urban landscapes. Although breeding near landfills secures food availability and saves energy and time spent on foraging activities, the poor food quality and risks associated with these facilities imply some fitness costs. Our study shows the effects of landfills on nest‐site selection and breeding success in white storks (Ciconia ciconia). Birds breeding near landfills occupy more urban areas where many structures are available to nest, while breeding pairs 20–30 km from landfills select nest sites with high‐quality food sources in the vicinity such as pastures, meadows and agro‐forestry areas. Furthermore, we demonstrate that habitat quality in the surrounding area is more relevant than landfills for breeding outcomes, but both of these are crucial for brood size. The number of fledglings was higher at a medium distance to the landfill than at 20–30 km from the landfill, but not near the landfill (0–10 km). This suggests that the best strategy includes food from landfills as a complementary or alternative food source. Future studies should further investigate if these shifts in habitat preference are permanent, and the potential impact of habitat degradation and landfill closures at a population level, for this species.

Drastic reduction of the population distribution of White Storks predicted in absence of landfills

AbstractOrganic waste production has greatly increased following human sprawl and led to the development of landfills in recent decades. This abundant and reliable anthropogenic food source has favored several species, some of which consequently became overabundant. Landfills present hazards to wildlife, which may suffocate on plastic materials, tangle on cords, and get exposed to pollutants and pathogens. In response to environmental and public health concerns over the maintenance of landfills, the European Commission proposed to close the landfills. Our objective was to determine the impact of Landfill European Directive on the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) whose population recovery and growth was linked to landfill exploitation. We implemented species distribution models to project future distribution in the absence of landfills in the Community of Madrid (Spain). Habitat suitability was estimated based on nest occurrence and we included data from land cover types, human population density, and two different climate change scenarios (i.e. emissions in low and high shared socioeconomic pathways). Given that protection measures, particularly implemented in protected areas, were associated with population recovery, we also evaluated the overlapping degree between protected areas and projected distribution. Our models predicted a sharp decline in breeding population distribution with landfill closure, reaching values similar to the 1984 breeding census when the species was categorized as threatened. Our results also suggest a decrease in maximum habitat suitability. Climate change also contributed to a reduction in breeding population distribution given model predictions for the extreme emission pathway (ssp5). Measures such as gradual change in landfill management, continuous monitoring of breeding populations, and evaluation of the White Stork use of natural feeding areas before and after landfill closure, should be considered.

White Storks nest at high densities near landfills changing stork nesting distributions in the last four decades in Central Spain

AbstractHuman-induced environmental changes are the main drivers of the ongoing redistribution of biodiversity. The millions of tons of organic waste that is added daily to landfills can increase the carrying capacity of ecological systems with direct effects on species’ population sizes and/or distributions. Understanding the effect of landfills on bird distribution is essential to assess management decisions. Our aim was to determine the role of landfills in the distribution of the breeding population of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) in the last 4 decades. For that purpose, we used historical and current census data of breeding pairs before and after landfill exploitation. In this study, we found that landfills have altered the distribution of the breeding population over the last 4 decades in the province of Madrid, Spain. We found that birds occupied new nesting sites near landfills independently of habitat quality as defined by prey abundance and quality according to the previous studies. Nest density was higher near landfills and increased after the landfills began to be utilized by this species. Population growth and extremely high breeding densities may translate into conflicts with humans, particularly when new nesting sites are in urban areas, and possibly alter the perception of this bird species by the human population. Landfill closures, mandated by the European Landfill legislation, are an opportunity to reduce the effects of landfills on animal populations, and reduce human–wildlife conflicts. However, there must be a process of transition and a preliminary evaluation of habitat quality and suitability in the region to avoid a dramatic decline of the White Stork population.

Suwung Landfill Closure as Acceleration to Improve Bali Waste Management System

The Suwung landfill, located in Suwung Kauh Village, Denpasar City, has been gradually terminated since November 2022. Official closure began in March 2023 by the Bali Provincial Forestry and Environment Service and continued with the operation of three new integrated waste management sites in Denpasar City. Governor Koster argued that the previous policy related to the Suwung landfill was tactless. Its placement in Denpasar city discouraged the strategic area in Bali as well as the capital city of Bali. The growth of Bali's economy by 61% in 2019 was mostly due to the expansion of hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related enterprises. It led to a rising figure of visitors, a movement of laborers, and increased population density on the island's business corridors. In contrast, Bali's dense population harms the ecosystem, essential to the island's reputation as a tourist destination. According to recent conversations, the trash management system will be accommodated at three Integrated Waste Treatment Sites (TPST) in Denpasar City beginning in June 2023. The TPS3R will no longer be built with the TPST, which is expected to be fully operational in June 2023.

ENHANCED IN-SITU REDUCTION OF LEACHATE PARAMETERS DUE TO AERATION AND LEACHATE RECIRCULATION IN PILOT SCALE MSW BIOREACTOR LANDFILL MODELS IN TROPICAL CLIMATE

The processes for optimizing toxicity removal of leachate from pilot scale Municipal Solid Waste bioreactor landfills were attempted. Landfill models were simulated in Fibre Reinforced Plastic tanks of size 1.5m x 1.0m x 1.0m by applying interventions like aeration and leachate recirculation. It was found that the Chemical Oxygen Demand and Biochemical Oxygen Demand values increased till 46th week after which the values started reducing. On 89th week after closure of landfill, the aerobic landfill model showed the minimum values for COD (10,200 mg/l) and both anaerobic and aerobic models with leachate recirculation had the lowest BOD (4934 mg/l). By 116th week the least concentrations of COD and BOD were in anaerobic landfill model with leachate recirculation (64 and 22 mg/l). Ammonia Nitrogen was the least in aerated model with leachate recirculation by 116th week from closure (281 mg/l). Conductivity was less in the landfill models with leachate recirculation (4.2 and 5 mS/cm for anaerobic and aerobic respectively).