A Comparative study of Heavy Metals in Leachate and Groundwater near Solid Waste Dumpsite in Kalyan (MS)

Abstract

Solid wastes are useless, unwanted or discarded materials that arise from man’s activities and cannot be discarded through sewer pipe. A designated place for dumping of refuse is known as dumpsite. The municipal solid waste into our environment has contributed greatly to the increase in levels of heavy metals in soil and vegetations grown in dumpsites. Health risks of heavy metals include reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme cases, death. Dump sites have been identified as one of the major threats to groundwater resources. This leachate accumulates at the bottom of the dump site and percolates through the soil. Areas near dump sites have a greater possibility of groundwater contamination because of the potential pollution source of leachate originating from the nearby site. In the present study, the impact of leachate percolation on groundwater quality is estimated from an unlined dump site at Kalyan, Maharashtra. Heavy metals are analyzed in well water samples in different seasons to understand the possible link of groundwater contamination. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by ICP OES.