Contribution of a municipal solid waste incinerator to the trace metals in the surrounding soil

Abstract

This study analyses the pedological environment of the area near a municipal waste incinerator that has been operating in the south-east district of Pisa for approximately 20 years. There are many other industrial activities in the area besides the incinerator, which represent possible sources of pollution, as well as heavy road traffic. The study area was defined by a 0-4-km zone around the site with a population of approximately 12,000 residents. The study included the physical and chemical characterisation of 100 samples of soil and an analysis of trace metals such as Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, As and Cd. The samples were grouped into soil use categories. The results showed Zn, Pb and Hg correlated with their potentially mobile fractions, and suggested an anthropic contribution to their presence in the soil. Ni, Cr and As showed values attributable to a lithological origin. This was consistent with the PCA results. The aim was to define the environmental state of the soil of the area in order to create a reference for future research and to verify the possible presence of pollution from other sources (local industrial activities and traffic).

Comprehensive review of the basic chemical behaviours, sources, processes, and endpoints of trace element contamination in paddy soil-rice systems in rice-growing countries

“…The direct disposal of hazardous waste has also been reported as a significant contributor to elevated levels of trace metals in soil-crop systems [10]. The distributions of trace metals from hazardous waste disposal sites to adjacent areas depend on various interconnected geochemical activities [109]. The distributions of trace metals to adjacent agricultural soils are usually influenced by soil pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and the availability of involved agents such as carbonates, sulfates, chlorides, microbial activities, organic, and hazardous waste properties [110,111].…”

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil due to leachate migration from an open dumping site

“…Solid waste disposals (open dumps, landfills, sanitary landfills or incinerators) represent a significant source of metals released into the environment (Yarlagadda et al 1995;Waheed et al 2010;Iwegbue et al 2010;Bretzel and Calderisi 2011;Rizo et al 2012). Leachate is produced primarily in association with precipitation that infiltrates through the refuse and normally results in the migration of leachate into the groundwater zone and pollutes it (Samuding 2009).…”

Mortality and Morbidity in a Population Exposed to Emission from a Municipal Waste Incinerator. A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…The thermal treatment of waste generates chemical substances that are considered as a potential health hazard to humans: metals (cadmium, thallium, zinc, mercury, chrome, arsenic, lead, cobalt, manganese, nickel, and vanadium), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), fine and ultra-fine particulate, acids (fluoridric, chloridric), gases (SO 2 , NO 2 , CO), and polychlorinated products (polychlorinated biphenyls PCB, dioxins, furans). Inhalation (gases, particulate, PAHs), ingestion (PCB) and dermal contact (metals, PAH) are the recognized routes of exposure [1,2,3]. Waste incineration plants have been reported as a source of health damage to populations living in the vicinity of the plants, however, the scientific evidence is still limited due to the low number of studies carried out and as a result of various sources of uncertainty.…”