TITLE:
Leachate Quality Characteristics: A Case Study of Two Industrial Solid Waste Dumpsites
AUTHORS:
Effiong Ukorebi Etim, Percy Chuks Onianwa
KEYWORDS:
Leachate; Solid Waste; Dumpsite; Lead; Waste Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.9,
September
11,
2013
ABSTRACT: The study evaluates the associated
environmental risk of two industrial solid waste dumpsites. The Toxicity
Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) extraction test were used to characterize leachate quality on
six solid waste samples obtained in July 2005, March 2006 and July 2006. Solid
waste compositions varied with 58% metal scraps, 30% vegetation matter, 10%
plastics and 2% paper materials. Statistical T-test (95% confidence limit)
showed no significance difference in physico-chemical quality of the leachates
obtained by both methods from both sites. Leachates obtained by the TCLP
extraction accounted for a total of 92.4% of the overall metal load as against
6.01% for the ASTM method. This disparity is due to the acidic nature of the
TCLP procedure which enhances more efficient extraction of metals than the ASTM
method. Solid waste deposits at SITE-1 were considered
hazardous to the environment, given that the upper 90% UCL values for lead
exceeded the TCLP characteristic regulatory levels. These may pose a risk to
vegetations and ground water reserve within the vicinity of the dumpsite on the
long run. The risk may be such as bioaccumulation of lead in the food chain.
Therefore, constant monitoring and possible remediation measures should be
carried out to contained contamination.