Municipal Waste Disposal Site Research Articles

A STUDY ON EFFICIENT MICROORGANISMS ISOLATED FOR DEGRADATION FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE OF CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

With rapid industrial development and the progress of civilization, the problem of increased waste generation has become more complex in urban areas. This research evaluates the composition and characteristics of municipal solid Waste produced in a representative residential neighbourhood. Ten samples were taken from the disposal site of the Chhatrapati—Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) city area. Gathered from garbage, nine bacterial isolates were made using a nutrient agar medium. Investigations were conducted into the best culture conditions, microbiological traits, biochemical traits within the strains, tolerance to five heavy metals (Cadmium, zinc, Arsenic, lead and mercury), sensitivity to four different antibiotics (penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and gentamycin), and extracellular enzyme production of the microbial strains. All six strains that could produce protease were used for the waste degradation efficiency test. Due to these findings, there is now a greater chance of identifying bacteria of scientific significance from municipal waste disposal sites, and these isolates may be a key source of compounds with practical applications in industry. Based on the research, it is possible to extract beneficial bacteria for the environmentally friendly bioconversion of solid Waste from the (Chhatrapati. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) city area.

Degradation of Plastic Beads Containing Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Sequential Photolysis, Hydrolysis and Bacterial Isolates.

Plastic is an important part of today's human daily lifestyle, and it is classified as a "global pollutant" due to its durability. The natural degradation of plastic is extremely slow and will take a hundred years or more. The ultimate destinations of plastics as well as their effects on the ecosystem vary with the type of plastic and the rate of their degradation. In this study, an attempt was made to explain the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic beads with the help of selected bacterial isolates in both laboratory and field conditions. 16S rRNA gene sequencing further identified the bacterial isolates as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus pumilus, obtained from the municipal waste disposal site near Anand, Gujarat, India. The beads were subjected to photolysis and hydrolysis for a predetermined amount of time in addition to biodegradation. After 60 days of treatment with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus pumilus in both laboratory and field conditions, a significant percentage decrease in the weight of LDPE beads was observed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was taken as a positive control. Further, the rate of degradation was found to be accelerated in the presence of 10% starch.

Integrated geophysical assessment of a municipal waste disposal site for its geological suitability in terms of the underlain material

Dumpsites are major sources of groundwater pollution as a result of leachates that drain out of the decomposed waste. If there are no underlain materials that could serve as a seal to stop the percolation of leachate, it finds its way to the groundwater. A properly designed landfill is expected to have a high leachate curtailment capacity to limit groundwater pollution. A suitable landfill is expected to have a specific thickness of clay which acts as a natural filter. This study aims to determine the subsurface material and the leachate curtailment of Oke–Diya dumpsites. Very low frequency-electromagnetic method was adopted as a reconnaissance survey, after which electrical resistivity and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) methods were carried out. The resistivity values obtained were used to determine the lithological units of the study area while the MASW was employed to determine the seismic wave arrival times which was processed to obtain the shear wave velocities of the subsurface. The rigidity moduli were also obtained from the shear wave velocities, from which the lithological units of the subsurface were inferred. The integrated method appeared to be the ideal tool to characterize the dumpsite and adjudge the leachate curtailment capacity. The methods corroborated each other. Oke-Diya dumpsite, from the results, revealed the study area had low leachate curtailment capacity and should be evacuated.

Model-free measurements of calorific content and ash content of mixed garden wastes using a bomb calorimeter

Two of the most important properties of a material to determine its suitability as a waste-to-energy feedstock are its calorific content and ash content (AC). In the literature, it has been widely suggested that using the results from ultimate and proximate analysis to determine the former through empirical models is an accurate method that saves time and reduces labor. In this work we evaluated the suitability of these models for mixed garden waste using samples collected from two geographical distinct municipal waste disposal sites. It was found that when the models, with parameters given in the literature, are used, the errors in the estimates of higher heating values (HHV) could be higher than acceptable limits. Using linear regression, we determined the model parameters for our specific feedstocks based on the measured elemental, AC and the HHV values from a bomb calorimeter that reduced this error, with AC being the best predictor. However, there were still points with errors over 15%, indicating that these empirical models may not be suitable for the highly varying biomass characteristics typical of mixed green waste feedstocks and that direct measurement through bomb calorimetry still provides the most accurate results. We did find though, that the residues from bomb calorimetry could be used to determine the ash content of mixed garden waste as a time-, labor- and energy-saving measure. Standards for ash content measurements involve the use of a furnace. Here we compared two standard procedures to each other and to the bomb calorimeter residue. Statistical analysis explicitly showed for the first time that we are aware of, that the residue of mixed garden waste from bomb calorimetry tests provided a reliable estimate of ash content over a large range with agreement within 10 % to standards and therefore can be used in place of the standards thereby significantly reducing the time and cost of the tests while getting more accurate results for HHV compared to the models suggested in the literature.

Application of a geographic information system and the method of analysis of hierarchies to assess construction sites for landfills for municipal waste in the Khabarovsk Territory

An integrated system for managing municipal solid waste at the regional level should be consistent with the goals of Russia's sustainable development. The key element of the system is the landfill. One of the most pressing issues in waste management is the choice of a suitable site for the construction of a landfill. This article presents the results of a study on the use of a geographic information system and the method of analyzing hierarchies to select a land plot for a municipal waste disposal site in the Komsomolsk cluster of the Khabarovsk Territory. Three land plots proposed by the municipal authorities for the construction of the landfill were studied using eleven evaluation factors. Evaluation factors were the population within a radius of 1.5 km, the presence of enterprises within a radius of 1.5 km, the population density in the service area, the distance to the boundaries of the settlement, the distance to the airport, the distance to water bodies, the current use of the land, the depth of the first aquifer, site slope, site area, distance to transport routes. As a result of the study, it was shown that the option of locating the MSW landfill in the Solnechny municipal district is the most preferable in terms of a set of evaluation factors. The worst option is the construction of a landfill in the vicinity of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The study showed that solving the problem of taking into account socio-economic and sanitary-environmental factors when choosing a land plot for the construction of a MSW landfill requires a practical methodology that can reduce the subjectivity of a management decision. Satisfying the need for a methodology to improve the validity of management decisions when choosing the best places for the construction of MSW landfills is possible through the use of GIS technologies and a multi-criteria decision support system.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater in Thailand: occurrence, source identification and spatial distribution

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have the potential to leach into groundwater, particularly in areas with potential pollution sources, such as landfills. The composition and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as soil characteristics, are particularly useful for identifying the sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The objectives of the present study were to characterise per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance levels in groundwater in Thailand, identify their potential sources and highlight their spatial distribution. Groundwater samples were collected in areas hosting municipal and industrial waste disposal sites. Seven Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were extracted from the groundwater samples using the solid-phase extraction technique and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These samples contain mostly perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate, with the highest concentrations of 34.96 and 25.88 ng L–1, respectively, obtained from industrial waste disposal site areas. The presence of perfluorohexane sulfonate in most samples from industrial waste disposal site areas suggests its usage as a substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate-based products. In addition to waste disposal, hierarchical cluster analysis reveals that other sources likely influence the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater in Thailand. Livestock farming and ponds near groundwater wells probably impact per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances levels in the associated groundwater. The spatial distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances shows that in addition to waste disposal sources, soil characteristics and interactions between their negatively charged components and cations in soils significantly influence the contamination of groundwater in the areas studied.

Investigation of groundwater quality around municipal waste disposal site in Malete southwestern Nigeria

Investigation of groundwater quality around municipal waste disposal site in Malete southwestern Nigeria

Interactions of waste disposal site leachate with the Merida karst aquifer, Mexico

Hydrogeochemical tools were applied to evaluate the effect caused by the presence of municipal waste leachate on the balance of a karstic aquifer. The system evaluated correspond to the aquifer underlying the area of the old municipal waste disposal site (MWDS) in the city of Merida, Mexico. A contaminant plume identified with chloride ion concentrations was detected. Groundwater samples were collected from boreholes located along a flow line, starting at the downstream boundary of the dump site. The parameters involved in the carbonate system were analyzed, obtaining a decline in calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations for high pCO2 values. This behavior is explained by the presence of high bicarbonate (HCO3–) content, as a result of the waste decomposition reactions. The bicarbonate ions behaved as a buffer preventing pH reduction. In addition to this, the calcium and magnesium species indicate that the formation of complexes affected the mineral solubility where leachate has the greatest influence. The transport of minerals, in moles, between boreholes located along the groundwater flow line, was determined through inverse modeling. It is concluded that the leachate affects the carbonate balance, as determined by the transfer of minerals along the flow line; it was observed that mixed waters with a higher percentage of leachate tend to dissolve carbonate minerals. This is the analogous to findings reported in other leachate contaminated aquifers.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeological Profiles within Odeda Local Government, Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Groundwater quality can be affected by human activities such as agriculture and improper sewage disposal facilities currently in use by some homeowners within Odeda local government, Ogun State Nigeria. Sixty groundwatersamples collected from hand-dug wellswere analysed for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard procedures. Results were integrated with multivariate and hydrogeochemical analyses to assess groundwater quality and hydrogeologycal facies within the study area. The range of values for the measured parameters include: pH (5.91 – 7.4), EC (101- 1142 μScm-1), TDS (50 - 581 mg L-1), NO3-(3 - 18 mg L-1), Cl- (25 – 234 mg L-1 ), BOD (0.1 – 17.9) and E. Coli (ND - 45×10cfu mL-1). The piper trilinear plot shows that the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area is the Ca2+– Cl− type. A correlation analysis and a principal component analysis reflect dissolutions from basal rocks and contamination from biological wastes possibly arising from surrounding septic tanks or municipal waste disposal sites. There is need for a continuous monitoring of groundwater by relevant regulatory authorities to safeguard the human health and environment within the study area.

Investigation of groundwater and soil quality near to a municipal waste disposal site in Silchar, Assam, India

Unscientific management of municipal solid waste is one of the direct sources of contamination in developing countries, such as India. The present investigation carried out during Oct–Dec 2019 attempts to assess the parameters, such as quality of groundwater and soil along three depths (0–5, 5–15 and 15–30 cm), in proximity to a dumping site in Silchar, a rapidly evolving city of North-East India. Standard protocols of soil and water quality assessments were carried out. The pH values of the surface soils were found to be slightly acidic. Decrease in acidity with increasing depth was observed in the study site. The relative abundance of the analyzed elements at all soil depths was Zn > Fe > Ni > Cu > Cr. Weak correlation between the concentration of Cu, Fe and Zn, and the bulk density of the soil highlighted the micronutrient status of the soil. The impact of the nearby dumpsite on trace element contamination is indicated by the ‘extremely contaminated’ status of the soils with respect to geo-accumulation index. Majority of the groundwater samples exhibited pH levels below the desired limits, making it unfit for consumption by local communities. While Fe, Cu and Ni levels in groundwater samples exceeded the guideline values, Cr and Zn concentrations were found to be within limits except one sample. Principal Component Analysis of the observed data was carried out to ascertain the predominant sources of contamination. The observations indicate the negative impacts of nearby dumpsite on environmental parameters, such as groundwater and soil quality, as highlighted in this research.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42108-021-00117-5.

Physicochemical and Heavy Metals Characteristics of Soil from Three Major Dumpsites in Ilorin Metrpolis, North Central Nigeria

Impact of waste disposal and management is a worldwide phenomenon leading to health impact most especially in underdeveloped and developing world. This study was undertaken to assess the major contaminants in some municipal waste disposal sites and the prospective impact to the surrounding domestic water supply source as well as the impact on the health of the people in the city. This is carried out by studying variousphysico-chemical parameters of soil which were collected from three municipal dump locations namely; Ita-Amodu, Sawmill garage and Kuntu areas in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State Nigeria. The geochemistry of the dumpsites were studied with respect to important parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, sulphates, chlorides, nitrates, moisture content, organic matter and heavy metals having the following constituents present in its composition- Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu). The study revealed that the three different soils samples: “(A) Ita-Amodu”, “(B) Sawmill Garage”, and “(C) Kuntu”) have pH of 7.1, 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Temperature of 24.2, 26.4, and 28.0 oC, Organic matter compositions of 0.95%, 0.73%, and 1.14%. The Moisture contents were 3.93%, 2.89%, and 3.48% respectively. The chloride contents of the samples was found to be 31.76 mg/L, 48.98 mg/L, and 91.63 mg/L, while nitrates were found to be 0.10 mg/L, 0.06, mg/L and 0.23mg/L, with a sulphate values of 1.96 mg/L, 2.35 mg/L, and 2.14 mg/L. The conductivities were 1.79 μs/cm, 2.23 μs/cm, and 1.15 μs/cm respectively. Heavy metal analysis from the waste soil were found to contained copper (Cu) - 0.03 mg/L, 0.028 mg/L, and 0.031 mg/L, zinc (Zn) - 0.04, mg/L 0.009 mg/L, and 0.066 mg/L), cadmium (Cd) - 0.516 mg/L, 0.62, mg/L and 0.048 mg/L), Lead (Pb) - 0.063 mg/L, 0.07 mg/L, and 0.056 mg/L), and iron (Fe) -0.518 mg/L, 0.62 mg/L, and 0.190 mg/L. 
 Keywords: Dumpsites, Heavy metals, Ilorin, Moisture contents, Nitrates.

The role of urbanization in soil and groundwater contamination by heavy metals and pathogenic bacteria: A case study from Oman

This study assessed the perception of urban residents of A'Seeb city, Oman, about the impact of their activities on environment. A sociological survey using questionnaire was used to know the residents' perceptions about urban gardening, municipal-waste disposal, and soil and water contamination. Viable pathogenic bacteria, water soluble metals, basic cations, salinity, and texture were quantified and identified in soil and groundwater in proximity of urban gardens and municipal-waste disposal sites. The majority of surveyed residents are not paying attention to the negative consequences of their activities on soil and environment. Although the measured heavy metals concentrations in some of the contaminated sites were significant but still below the international standards. Fecal contaminants reported in in some samples from gardens, garbage-disposal sites and groundwater. Human pathogens belonging to risk group-2 including Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella spp and E. Coil were identified. More socio-environmental studies required to correlate the behavior of urban residents and pollution and to delineate the sources of the detected pathogenic bacteria. Our results set a foundation for future studies on urban soils and associated residence behaviors and practices in Oman and the neighboring Gulf countries.

Levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in groundwater around improper municipal and industrial waste disposal sites in Thailand and health risk assessment.

The aims of this study were to examine the levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in groundwater around improperly developed municipal and industrial waste disposal sites, including estimating non-cancer risk and cancer risk from ingestion of the groundwater. A total of 27 groundwater samples were collected from two cities in Thailand, Ayutthaya and Chonburi. Seven target compounds were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that the total PFCs in groundwater around municipal waste disposal sites (MWDSs) varied from 1.68 to 7.75 ng/L. In groundwater around the industrial waste disposal site (IWDS), total PFCs varied from 2.64 to 42.01 ng/L, which were significantly different from those found in groundwater around the MWDSs at p < 0.01. PFOS and PFOA were ubiquitous in both areas, while perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) was frequently found in the samples around IWDS. The findings possibly suggest that PFHxS has been introduced for use as an alternative substance for most current C8 and higher due to it having shorter chain length and shorter half-lives. The results for both non-cancer risk and cancer risk in all samples were acceptable.

Impact of human activities on the quality of groundwater at Dobra intake in Jaworzno

The paper identifies the causes of contamination and analyses changes in the quality of underground water resources at the Dobra intake, which supplies water for a separated group of Jaworzno inhabitants. The analysis takes into consideration such aspects as land conditions and their influence on physicochemical changes of water taken in in relation to the effective legal requirements for potable water. Moreover, an integral part of analysis of potential threats was an assessment of the effect of closed municipal waste disposal site and mining activity on the quantitative and qualitative resources of underground water in the area supplied by the Dobra intake in Jaworzno.

Evaluation of unmitigated options for municipal waste disposal site in Tehran, Iran using an integrated assessment approach

It can be difficult for assessors and decision-makers to compare different options for a project, and thus come to a reasoned and objective decision concerning the impacts and its sustainability at the local level. Therefore, using integrated assessment becomes crucially important for evaluating proposed different options. In this paper, we apply the Rapid Integrated Sustainability Assessment Method (RISAM) to evaluate the proposed unmitigated options for a municipal waste disposal site in Tehran, Iran. The results obtained showed that all of the alternative unmitigated options to the current method of open dumping were indicated as being consistent with very weak sustainability. The RISAM method demonstrated offers potential considerable benefits with respect to improved efficiency, reduced need for resources, and improved consistency and transparency in evaluation and reporting.

Geological conditions for allocation of solid municipal and industrial waste disposal sites in the Middle Urals

The conditions and the basic principles for the allocation of solid municipal and industrial waste (SMW and IW) disposal sites in the geological structures of the Middle Urals are considered. A typological classification of municipal solid and industrial waste disposal sites in the Middle Urals is proposed, which takes into account the factors that influence the nature of the induced processes and the risk to the environment and humans: the area and the amount of waste, waste composition, storage method, disposal conditions, water regime, the properties of underlying rocks, and the position in the region. The typological classification of SMW and IW and the zoning of geological environment in Sverdlovsk oblast is the basis for the choice of methods for predicting pollution at the sites of SMW and IW disposal as a component of monitoring the disposal sites.

Identification of sources and processes in a low-level radioactive waste site adjacent to landfills: groundwater hydrogeochemistry and isotopes

Multiple tracer-element and isotope approaches were applied at a 1960s-era low-level radioactive waste burial site located in the Lucas Heights area on the southwest urban fringe of Sydney, Australia. The site is situated among other municipal and industrial (solid and liquid) waste disposal sites causing potential mixing of leachates. Local rainfall contains marine-derived major ion ratios that are modified during infiltration depending on waste interactions. The local geology favours the retention of contaminants by ion-exchange processes within the clay-rich soils and the shale layer underlying the burial site. Local soils experience periodic infiltration and wetting fronts that can fully saturate the waste trenches (bathtub effect) while surrounding soils are mostly unsaturated with discontinuous perched lenses. Within the trenches, the degradation of organic matter results in localised methanogenesis, as suggested by enriched δ2H and δ13CDIC values in adjacent subsurface water. Movement of contaminants from the trenches is indicated by Na+, Br− and I− concentrations, variations in 87Sr/86Sr, enriched δ13CDIC values and evolution of δ34S of dissolved sulfate in perched water bodies above the shale. Although transport is limited by the low transmissivity of the clay-rich soils, migration and mixing processes are indicated by the variation of concentrations with distance from the trenches, disappearance of δ2H enrichments, mixing with other sources of Sr and sulfate isotope fractionations. The depth distribution of waste-derived contaminants (specifically 3H and Be) between the perched water surrounding the trenches, and the underlying shale and sandstone layers, indicates limited downward transport of contaminants. Past removal of the shale layer in an adjacent site, Harrington's Quarry, has facilitated the mixing of some municipal waste leachates (characterised by circum-neutral pH, high alkalinity, low sulfate, high 3H, high Be, enriched δ2H and δ13CDIC) into the underlying groundwater system as suggested by high TDS, Cl−/Br− ratios, Be and 3H found in deeper wells. This study demonstrates the applicability of using trace elements, stable- and radio-isotopes to document the existing geochemistry and the contaminant transport from the waste trenches. The multiple tracer approach addresses the complexities of transport at the site and differentiates various municipal, industrial and radioactive waste sources.

Biotechnological Potential of Alpha Amylase Production by Bacillus subtilis Using Cassava Peel Powder as a Substrate

Cassava peels, a major agricultural waste associated with the processing of cassava tubers into value-added products such as industrial starch and derived food items including garri and foofoo, were used as raw material for the production of α-amylase. The major step of the process is solid state fermentation of the mash prepared from this byproduct by Bacillus subtilis that was isolated from a solid municipal waste disposal site. The effects of varying durations of incubation, temperature, medium pH and substrate

Landfill monitoring using remote sensing: a case study of Glina, Romania

Landfill monitoring is one of the most important components of waste management. This article presents a case study on landfill monitoring using remote sensing technology. The study area was the Glina landfill, one of the largest municipal waste disposal sites in Romania. The methodology consisted of monitoring the differences of temperature computed for several distinct waste disposal zones with respect to a ground reference area, all of them located within the landfill site. The remote sensing data used were Landsat satellite multi-temporal data. The differences of temperature were computed using Landsat thermal infrared data. The study confirmed the use of multi-temporal Landsat imagery as a complementary data source.

Route optimization for municipal solid waste disposal sites in Gondia, Maharashtra State, India

Municipal solid waste is mainly generated due to urbanization and development and has emerged as a severe threat to environment. Inappropriate disposal of municipal solid waste may harmfully affect environment and human health. Municipal solid waste management is desired for the solution of the problem of solid waste disposal pertaining to protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources. Gondia Municipal Council’s solid waste management in this study involves the collection of waste from various locations to some common point known as waste collection centre. The collected waste is then transported to nearest available facilities namely landfill site and disposal site. The main aim of this study is to exhibit the route optimization model for fixing collection centers, considering capacity of automobile as 3 tons being used for assortment and the distance between optimized collection centers and disposal facilities of solid waste with potential routes. The least distance locations of waste centers may be utilized by the municipal solid waste management for cost effectiveness with an objective of sustainable development of city. The outcome of the study reveals effective reduction of 22255 meters of distance coved per day by the automobile.