Resource detail

Solid waste management (SWM) is an integral part of the urban environment and planning of the urban infrastructure to ensure safe and healthy environment. While considering the promotion of sustainable economic growth, the rapid and unplanned industrialization, urbanization and population growth have resulted in proliferation of consumer articles vis a vis generation of waste. Lucknow city is situated at the banks of river Gomti. Geographically, Lucknow city is situated at coordinates 26.85°N and 80.92°E having 2,528 km2 area. As per 2001 census its population was approximately 27.50 lakhs generating more than 1200 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of plastic waste disposal on soil and ground water quality of Lucknow dumpsite. The following two dumpsite locations of Lucknow city: a) Ghaila, Hardoi Road and b) Dudauli, Sitapur Road have been under taken for the sampling and study. Samples of soil and water were collected and analyzed in both pre monsoon and post monsoon seasons. It was found through the determination of Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) that chemical moieties like heavy metals, chloride, phthalates etc. migrate from plastic waste to the surrounding medium. Since these plastic additives are not chemically bound with the polymeric chain and remain present as free and leachable phase, hence, they can migrate from plastic to the recipient medium during landfilled conditions due to physico-chemical exertion and microbial degradation. These leachates can cause considerable pollution problems by contaminating the surrounding soil, ground or surface waters.