Evaluation The Leachate Characteristics and its Impacts on Groundwater Contamination Around Al-Diwaniyah Open Dumpsite

Abstract

Abstract Groundwater contamination presents an increasing concern for environmental sustainability and human health, especially organic contamination. The effect of leachate percolation on groundwater contamination was investigated at Al-Diwaniyah open dumpsite to assess the groundwater quality of hand-dug observation wells surrounding the dumpsite. Samples of raw leachate and groundwater were collected for laboratory analysis, where they were analyzed using standard methods in order to evaluate any potential seasonal and variations for rainy, and dry seasons. Analytical results of leachate samples indicate that all physiochemical parameters were high revealing that they were highly contaminated with both organic and inorganic materials. High pH value and low BOD5/COD ratio for leachate indicated that dumpsite is old and in the methanogenic stage of anaerobic decomposition. In groundwater, average values of pH, EC, TDS, and major ion concentrations were higher in the dry season as compared to that in the rainy season. In contrast, the variation in TSS, BOD5, and COD showed more in rainy season than in dry season. GW1 and GW2 samples were more impacted by leachate percolation than GW3. The findings further revealed that except for pH, and nitrate all other examined parameters were above the permitted limitations of World Health Organization and Iraqi Quality standards. Relying on pH, EC, and major ions respectively, groundwater adjacent to dumpsite can be described as slightly alkaline, water with health hazards, and Chloride is the dominating ion. Inferred from the preceding, the noticeable influence of climate variation and distance from dumpsite on the extent of groundwater contamination. Continuously monitoring the groundwater resources in the area and constructing engineering landfills subject to the environmental limitations to control leachate infiltration into groundwater is recommended.