A Study of Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils of Naregaon Dumping Ground and Other Municipal Waste Dumpsites of Aurangabad City, Maharashtra

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management is the major challenge faced by both urban and rural areas across the globe and the key issue in its management is financial constraints and lack of awareness among society for waste management. Aurangabad is the fastest developing city in India and faces problem of huge solid waste generation and its management. The city is divided into 9 zones for proper management. Present study was carried out to assess the soil quality from various open dumping sites from 9 zones. Naregaon open dumping ground (Landfill) is the prime site under consideration in this study. Near about 42 soil samples were collected post monsoon from various locations (15-40cm depths). Analysis was done for physicochemical parameters like pH, Electrical conductivity, N, P, K and heavy metals like Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr, Pb and Cu present in the soil, in NABL accreditated soil testing laboratory. The results showed that the salinity of the soil under considered locations was more. N, P, K parameters were high for many of the locations. The soil samples from fields nearby the prime site were showing all the parameters more than the acceptable limit. The heavy metal contents in the soil were very high during first year of analysis, which reduced to considerable extent in next year for some of the sites under study. After closure of Naregaon duping ground some specific samples were collected and analyzed and still showed presence of heavy metals as well as the physicochemical parameters were more than desired limit. The soil samples from fields nearby the prime site were showing some of the parameters more than the acceptable limit. The local residents near the Naregaon dumping site are facing lot of health issues as the lechate from the dumping site has already affected the ground water table in this area. Though municipal corporation has now banned this dumping ground but still some long term action plan need to be considered and should be implemented by Government for betterment of affected community. Proper environmental audit needs to be carried out in this area for deciding proper action plan.