Analysing Heavy Metal Contamination in Groundwater in the Vicinity of Mumbai’s Landfill Sites: An In-depth Study

The health of the public and environment may suffer significantly when solid waste is dumped in unmanaged landfills. The primary concern is the risk of pollution caused by leachate from landfill sites migrating into surface waters, & groundwater. In India, handling the leachates from landfills is a significant environmental and financial issue. Owing to the rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population increase, a variety of by-products are produced from day-to-day living and are frequently disposed of carelessly, creating serious environmental issues. This study evaluates the environmental risks to groundwater that leachate from municipal solid waste landfills poses. In order to assess the degree and kind of groundwater contamination, the research uses a thorough analytical methodology that integrates hydrogeological, geochemical, and microbiological examinations. To ascertain the physicochemical characteristics of leachate, including heavy metal concentrations, three landfill sites in Deonar, Mulund, and Malad were chosen. Landfill leachate samples were taken from three municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and examined for 22 trace contaminants that are frequently found in surface and municipal wastewater effluents. It was discovered that the Deonar dump site was far more polluted than the Malad and Mulund garbage sites. The leachate pollution index was used to assess the toxicity hazard of the dumpsites; values of 20.41, 23.42, and 23.52 were found for the landfill sites in Mulund, Malad, and Deonar, respectively. This study will provide valuable insights into the present state of groundwater contamination around Mumbai landfills. Furthermore, by identifying the precise contaminants causing groundwater degradation, thorough research will facilitate the development of tailored mitigation plans. The study’s findings are anticipated to have a significant impact on urban planning and policy decisions about sustainable waste management techniques, with a particular focus on groundwater resource conservation and public health in Mumbai.