Assessment of Leachate contaminated Groundwater Quality near Mandur Solid Waste Dumping Site, Bangalore

Abstract

Groundwater samples along with leachate were collected randomly around the municipal solid waste dumping at Mandur village, Bangalore. All the collected samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters like pH, hardness, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate using Standard APHA methods during April 2018 (pre-monsoon period). It is apparent from the results that 25.93, 33.34, 14.82 and 81.48 % of groundwater samples respectively recorded higher electrical conductivity (EC ≥ 1000 μS/cm), total dissolved solids ( TDS ≥ 500 mg/L), total hardness (TH ≥ 600 mg/L) and nitrate (NO3 ≥ 45 mg/L), attributed to an interaction between the leachate and the groundwater samples near the core zone. Remaining parameters were well below their respective drinking water quality standard limit.s The Sodium absorption ratio (SAR), Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and percent sodium values illustrated the suitability of groundwater samples for agricultural practices. Though cluster analysis specified some sort of interaction to exist between leachate and few groundwater samples, analytical outcome of groundwater quality were against such interaction. Average concentration for various parameters in ground water samples were not much affected with leachate interaction. The unsuitability of groundwater for drinking purpose, removal of excess concentration and artificial recharge of groundwater by rainwater harvesting methods could reduce the groundwater pollution level.