Investigation of soil quality and heavy metal concentrations from a waste dumping site of Konabari industrial area at Gazipur in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the soil pollution from the downstream area of the waste dumping site in relation to changes in soil quality as well as chemical characteristics and heavy metals concentrations in Konabari industrial area of Bangladesh, during the period from July to December 2011. Soil samples were collected from five different points at a distance of 10 m from each other. Samples were collected from two layers i.e. from surface and subsurface at a depth of 0-15 and 15-30 cm, respectively. The study concluded that the waste material produced tangible impacts on the soil quality, while the samples contained higher available sulphur (S), but lower total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P) and organic matter (OM) contents. The dumping of waste resulted in a marked increase in the concentration of heavy metals in soils, and the measured metals varied in the order of iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). The mean concentrations of the selected heavy metals in the surface soil of the dumped site were 0.40, 1.42, 0.46, 350.38 and 0.03 ppm for Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and Cd, respectively, while the mean concentrations of the heavy metals in the subsurface soil were 0. 39, 1.36, 0.47, 313.3 and 0.03 ppm for Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and Cd, respectively. This could be attributed to the leachates percolated from the wastes. The metal species were found comparatively lower on the solid waste accumulation site and higher on the industrial effluents accumulation site. Such a condition could be regarded as unsafe as these heavy metals are eventually picked up by growing plants and thereby entering the food chain. So, careless disposal of the waste should be discouraged, and a waste management and treatment policy should be put in place for the waste dumping and/or disposal.

Changes in phosphorus content, phosphatase activity and some physicochemical and microbiological parameters of soil within the range of impact of illegal dumping sites in Bydgoszcz (Poland)

“…The growing number of the global population and intensive industrialization in recent years have caused an enormous increase in solid, toxic wastes and industrial sewage (Islam et al 2012). In the case of the waste disposal on illegal dumping sites, a serious environmental problem appeared, as opposed to regulated municipal waste landfill sites (Guan et al 2014).…”

“…In the case of the waste disposal on illegal dumping sites, a serious environmental problem appeared, as opposed to regulated municipal waste landfill sites (Guan et al 2014). Illegal dumping sites are usually situated in lowland areas in the neighbourhood of streams, forests, rivers, lakes and other ecologically sensitive regions, causing a serious environmental pollution by disturbing the soil microbiological, biochemical, physical and chemical properties (Bielińska and Mocek-Płóciniak 2009;Islam et al 2012;Wided et al 2014). The type and the amount of the waste deposited, containing particularly heavy metals, flame retardants, chlorofluorocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and dioxin-like compounds, permeate into the soil and, consequently, have a great influence on the number of microorganisms, qualitative selection and the products of metabolism they secrete (Fraczek and Ropek 2011;Pradhan and Kumar 2014).…”

Assessment of the content of heavy metals and potential pathogenic microorganisms in soil under illegal dumping sites

“…Open dumpsites present a number of risks to soils due to its propensity to generate toxic chemicals, pathogens, and alter the natural environment of the soil (Amuno 2011). The source of heavy metals is usually hazardous waste (paint, varnishes, batteries, expired pharmaceuticals, insecticides), ashes coming from the heating systems as well as the organic fraction which has a substantial accumulation ability (Longe and Enekwechi 2007;Tengrui et al 2007;Ogundiran and Afolabi 2008;Islam et al 2012). Uncontrolled landfills are also an important epidemiological risk due to the possibility of pathogenic bacteria being deposited waste.…”

An Investigation on Soil Quality and Heavy Metal Levels in Soil of Rajbandh Waste Disposal Site at Khulna, Bangladesh

“…From Figure 9 and Table 7, compared to Table 3, results depicted that the value of Igeo in case of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Sc and Hg showed the uncontaminated level, the value of Igeo in case of Cu showed the uncontaminated to moderately contaminated level. In consideration of the metal of Cd, the value of Igeo for Cd showed the strongly contaminated when for Pb it showed moderately to strongly contaminated in soil [1]. Correspondingly, the mean value of Igeo for the metal of Sb indicated the strongly to extremely contaminated and strongly contaminated level along the boreholes.…”

“…As a consequence of industrialization and urbanization, the rapid growing number of industries makes the natural environment vulnerable for all living creatures on earth creating indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, effluents consisting toxic chemicals [1].…”