Characterization of Leachate from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfilling Sites of Ludhiana, India: A Comparative Study

The paper discusses the characteristics of leachate generated from municipal solid waste landfilling sites of Ludhiana City, Punjab (India). Leachate samples were collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters to estimate its pollution potential. This study aims to serve as a reference for the implementation of the most suitable technique for reducing the negative environmental effects of discharge leachate. All the three landfilling sites of Ludhiana city are nonengineered low lying open dumps. They have neither any bottom liner nor any leachate collection and treatment system. Therefore, all the leachate generated finds its paths into the surrounding environment. It has been found that leachate contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic constituents beyond the permissible limits. While, heavy metals concentration was in trace amount as the waste is domestic in nature. The data presented in this study indicated that the age of the landfill has a significant effect on leachate composition. In older landfills, the biodegradable fraction of organic pollutants in the leachate decreases as an outcome of the anaerobic decomposition occurring in the landfill. The concentration of leachate contaminants at Jamalpur and Noorpur belt landfilling site were comparative greater than that of Jainpur landfilling site which is older than both. Based on the characterization of landfill leachate, Jamalpur and Noorpur belt landfilling site demonstrated low bio-degradability i.e. BOD5/COD=0.19 and BOD5/ COD=0.20 compared with Jainpur landfilling site i.e. BOD5/COD=0.24. Indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste without proper solid waste management practices should be stopped or some remedial measures were required to be adopted to prevent contamination. KeywordsLandfilling, Leachate, Organic and Inorganic constituents, Groundwater contamination.