Spatial Distribution of Salmonella in Soil near Municipal Waste Landfill Site

Abstract

Due to the heterogeneous origin of municipal waste, different substrates support the growth of many microorganisms, including those hazardous to humans. In consequence, landfills collecting these refuses are regarded as serious sources of infectious material contaminating the environment. In this study, we aimed to assess how waste may be related to the presence of Salmonella spp. in soil within a landfill and its surroundings. The numbers of these pathogens were estimated in soil samples collected at 17 different stands established in the municipal waste landfill of Barycz (near Kraków, Poland) and the surrounding area. The analysis showed that in all soil samples, Salmonella spp. did not exceed 270 cfu g−1 in dry soil (i.e., the active landfill sector). Salmonella spp. was found in 57% of the tested soil samples in spring, 88% in summer, 45% in autumn, and was not detected in winter. A spatial distribution visualized by graphical maps allowed determination of the influence of the active sector on the surrounding areas. The graphical maps showed the impact of seasons on the spread of Salmonella spp. in the soil near the landfill. Detection and estimation of Salmonella spp. distribution in soil within the landfill area distinctly confirms the hazardous impact of collected wastes on hygienic characteristics of the soil.