Evaluating the Pollution Potential of Municipal Solid Waste Leachate Using the Leachate Pollution Index Framework

Abstract

Landfill leachate produced from an open MSW dumping area can affect groundwater pollution. The impact of open dumping of solid waste on the water quality of adjacent dumping areas was evaluated. To appraise the leachate pollution index (LPI), the quantification of leachate to know the potential contamination using the LPI had to be developed near the MSW dumping yard caused by the dumping site. The municipal solid waste dumping site, situated near Hubali city, lies at a latitude of 15°19‘28.22N and a longitude of 75°6‘34.61E, covering an area of 22 acres. LPI helps simplify the complex leachate pollution data and makes it easier for the general public and researchers to understand the same. This LPI is made more effective by dividing it into three sub-indices. This study demonstrates the applicability of the LPI as a comprehensive environmental assessment tool for evaluating the pollution potential of an unlined municipal solid waste dumpsite. The results of the leachate pollution index indicated pollution load as per LPI organic, LPI inorganic, and LPI heavy metals are 1.125, 4.4766, and 1.7616, respectively. The overall LPI is found to be 7.3677, which can be reduced by taking some control measures to safeguard the surrounding ecological system of the dumping site. Hence, this tool is recommended to be adopted collectively for leachate quality appraisal. The overall LPI of the selected leachate samples in and around the dumping site was found to be 7.368. The LPI of black liquid indicated that the slightly near to the leachate disposal standards to inland surface water as per Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling Rules, 2000, Government of India is 7.378. The study provides site-specific evidence from a major municipal dumpsite in India and highlights the usefulness of LPI for landfill monitoring, risk assessment, and sustainable waste management planning.