Leachate characterization and evaluating its impact on groundwa ter quality in vicinity of landfill site area

Abstract

An experimental study is performed for understanding the characteristics of leachate from the landfill site and groundwater in the vicinity area of sanitary landfill. Leachate and groundwater samples are collected from Narela-Bawana (New Delhi, India) landfill site. High Concentrations of various physicochemical parameters are observed in collected samples are reported including heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Fe and Zn). The present study deals with the determination of likely concentrations of hazardous contaminants in the groundwater over a period of time due to the discharge of such contaminants from landfill leachates to the nearby soil and finally to groundwater. Results clearly indicated that the likely contamination of groundwater due to leachate released from landfill. Results are further compared with Bureau of Indian Standards for drinking water. Presence of contaminants in groundwater particularly near the landfill sites warns its quality and thus renders the associated aquifer unreliable for domestic water supply and other uses.