Impact of closed Kairiai landfill on the Ginkūnai Pond, Lithuania

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the closed Kairiai municipal landfill located near Šiauliai City on the Ginkūnai Pond, into which the leachate from the landfill is released. The main aim of our study was to determine the phytotoxic impact of landfill leachate, water and bottom sediments of the Ginkūnai Pond and Švedė Creek, as well as drainage channel through which the leachate is discharged into the pond. The main characteristics of physico-chemical analysis of the leachate, water and bottom sediments of ecosystem tested were assessed. The amount of chlorophyll “a” and dominant groups of phototrophic organisms were also investigated. The tests were performed during 2012 and 2013. Phytotoxicity tests were carried out using seed germination and root growth test of Lepidium sativum and relative growth rate (RGR), biomass, and amount of total chlorophyll of Lemna minor. The leachate was very toxic to both tested plants. The water of the Ginkūnai Pond was moderately toxic for root growth of L. sativum and in many cases non-toxic or slightly toxic to L. minor. Investigations of the impact of Kairiai landfill on the Ginkūnai Pond confirmed the expected existence of the gradient of the usually measured physic-chemical parameters in water of the receiving pond. A strong trend of the decrease of chlorophyll “a” content across the pond was revealed. However, the data of phytotoxicity tests did not show similar tendency. Phytotoxicity testing and physico-chemical investigation showed that the closed Kairiai landfill is still remains a serious source of long-lasting permanent pollution, which affects the neighboring water bodies.