Impact assessment of solid waste dumping sites on soil and groundwater quality in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India
Journal Title: Environment Conservation Journal - Year 2024, Vol 25, Issue 3
Abstract
The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping on the quality of soil and groundwater at six specific sites (S1-S6) located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. An analysis of selected physicochemical and heavy metal characteristics (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Cr) was conducted on groundwater and soil samples collected between July 2022 and June 2023 using standard techniques. Furthermore, the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) was also analysed, revealing a significant proportion of biodegradable waste in comparison to non-biodegradable wastes. The areas affected by urban and industrial activity showed markedly higher concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal parameters in both soil and groundwater samples (p < 0.05). An study of groundwater revealed concentrations from BDL to 0.170 ± 0.008 mg/L (S6) , 0.034 ± 0.004 mg/L (S4) to 1.565 ± 0.048 mg/L (S6), 1.786 ± 0.089 mg/L (S4) to 10.630 ± 0.279 mg/L (S6), 0.096 ± 0.006 mg/L (S4) to 0.321 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6), and 0.110 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6) for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd mg/kg , respectively. Cr was detected at the BDL level in all groundwater samples from all sites. Findings revealed that metals exceeded the BIS range, with Iron over the limit at all sites, Manganese at S1, S2, and S6 sites, and Cadmium at S1, S2, S3, and S6 sites. The examination of the soil samples revealed concentrations ranging from 0.399 ± 0.125 mg/kg (S5) to 2.806 ± 0.083 mg/kg (S6), 1.207 ± 0.044 mg/kg (S5) to 3.813 ± 0.238 mg/kg (S2), 24.972 ± 1.128 mg/kg (S5) to 47.417 ± 1.713 mg/kg (S3), 2.297 ± 0.43 mg/kg (S5) to 14.641 ± 0.229 mg/kg (S2), and BDL (S4, S5, and S6) to 0.194 ± 0.291 mg/kg (S2) for their respective elements. The Cr content was BDL in all soil samples from all sites. Several metals over the BIS range were detected, including Cu at site S6, Zn at sites S1, S2, S3, S4, and S6, Fe at all sites and Mn at site S2. In S1-S6, the total bacterial population in the soil ranged from 397 ± 67 CFU to 459±88 CFU, with values of 442 ± 86 CFU, 404 ± 78 CFU, 459 ± 88 CFU, 397 ± 67 CFU, 405 ± 67 CFU, and 451 ± 77 CFU, respectively. The findings revealed soil and groundwater pollution caused by the elevated levels of heavy metals in the groundwater, rendering the water unfit for drinking. The study underscores the need of adopting effective waste management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of solid waste disposal sites. The results can guide the formulation of development policies and laws aimed at enabling the implementation of suitable solid waste management techniques.
Authors and Affiliations
Vinod Kumar, Himanshu Saini , Aditi Bisht, Pankaj Kumar, Kanchan Deoli Bahukhandi , Nitin Kamboj, Amrit Kumar
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP745677
- DOI https://doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.27302813
- Views 52
- Downloads 0
Analysis of noise pollution level in and around SIDCUL area in District Haridwar (Uttarakhand) India
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the issue of noise pollution in the vicinity of the industrial zone of Haridwar city and its correlation with the health of the people in and around the SIDCUL (State I...
Intelligent technologies and their transformative role in modern agriculture: A comparative approach
The escalating global demand for food, propelled by a burgeoning population and the unpredictable shifts in climatic conditions, presents a challenge that traditional plant breeding alone struggles to address. In respons...
Production of nutritionally active compounds from Spirulina platensis under various stress conditions
The free-floating, filamentous cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis is highly valued and in great demand worldwide for its high-value colors and phytonutrients. These compounds find use in health foods, feed, medicines, and...
Impact of traditional community tanks rejuvenation on groundwater recharge and crop productivity in Yadgir district of Kalyan Karnataka Region, India
Yadgir district is identified as most backward ditrict by NITI ayoga on account of their “lowest composite indicators in terms of health and nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill...
Priming techniques for sustainable Agro-Ecological system and abiotic stress mollification: A Review
Abiotic stress refers to the diverse range of environmental challenges that plants encounter. Environmental stressors such as salt, temperature, nutritional deprivation, and heavy metal toxicity can lead to problems in t...