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Effect of depth of landfill on the characteristics of soil-like material of aged waste: a case study of Bhalswa dumpsite, India

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Abstract

This study characterizes the municipal solid waste (MSW) accumulated for more than 25 years at Bhalswa dumpsite, Delhi, India. 50 undisturbed samples of MSW were collected in Shelby tubes (75 mm dia.) at a regular depth interval of 3 m up to a depth of 35 m from the top and mid-height of the 65 m-high dumpsite. Total unit weight, organic content, water content, and particle size distribution of the total MSW were analyzed for different depths to understand the matrix of the waste mass accumulated inside the dump. Soil-like material (SLM, < 4.75 mm) screened from the total MSW was also analyzed for organic content, heavy metals (total and leachable), soluble salts, and release of dark-colored leachate. Total unit weight of MSW slightly increased, whereas organic content slightly decreased in the lower sections of the boreholes. An increase in the percentage of SLM was observed with an increase in the depth of the waste. The total heavy metal concentration of chromium, lead and zinc increased by depth. The leachable heavy metal concentration of chromium and nickel increased with depth. The findings of this study can be useful for mining dumpsites and suggesting various options for its re-use in developing countries like India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Mohit Somani, Manoj Datta & G. V. Ramana

  2. Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt. Ltd, Noida, India

    Ravi Sundaram

  3. Department of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India

    T. R. Sreekrishnan

  4. University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany

    Ingo Hölzle

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  1. Mohit Somani
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Somani, M., Datta, M., Ramana, G.V. et al. Effect of depth of landfill on the characteristics of soil-like material of aged waste: a case study of Bhalswa dumpsite, India. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 24, 1902–1912 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01447-0

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