IMPACT OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY AT LANDFILL SITE, GHAZIPUR, DELHI, INDIA

Abstract

The study in this report presents the results of the evaluation that has been performed on the analysis of various groundwater parameters, samples being taken from select observation points in close proximity of the Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi, India, over a period of one year mainly in the three seasons - rainy (August-September, 2015), winter (December-January, 2015) and summer (April-May, 2016). A total of thirty samples were taken, ten samples from different sites in each season during the year 2015-16. One sample included leachate sample which was taken during the summer season due to high concentration of contaminants obtained. The various physico-chemical parameters that have been looked into are pH, EC, TDS, DO, Cl- levels and heavy metals such as Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe and Cr, which were compared with the standard values prescribed by APHA, WHO and BIS. The result shows contamination of groundwater in some of the surrounding areas of the landfill. DO and pH level were in the normal ranges in almost all sample sites whereas in some TDS, EC and Cl- were above the desirable limit. Cd, Ni and Fe concentration levels were also found higher in some observations. Hence, the groundwater is unfit for drinking and utility purpose.