Relationship between physicochemical parameters and toxicity of leachate from Municipal Solid waste landfill site in Delhi

Abstract

As landfills are used to dispose Municipal Solid waste (MSW) but due to lack of proper engineering facilities, these landfills have always been the source of pollution in the soil and water environment.The leachate samples were collected from Bhalaswa landfill site in Delhi in winter season.Leachates were characterized by measuring physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, concentrations of metals like Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Ca, K, Na, Mg.Toxicity tests such as germination inhibition and growth were tested and cell apoptosis was assesed by Flow cytometry.The toxicity tests were conducted by diluting the crude leachate with distilled water and toxicity was recorded against Triticum aestivum (Wheat).The results indicate that lower concentration stimulated germination as well as growth while higher concentrations inhibited the process in a time and dose dependent manner.This implies that leachate from the landfill is toxic to plants and exposure to the leachate in aquatic environment may pose a potential risk to the organisms.The results show that Triticum aestivum treated with different concentrations of leachate induces toxicity in Triticum aestivum in a time and dose dependent manner.The results further indicate the relationship between physicochemical parameters and toxicity.