Impact of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal on Compaction Characteristics and Strength of Red Soil

Abstract

The disposal of MSW (municipal solid waste), in most of Indian cities, is to dump on nearby low laying lands. This investigation aims to characterize MSW and assess compaction characteristics and strength properties of contaminated soils at dumping sites in two cities Chickballapur and Kolar of Karnataka, India. Representative solid wastes from selected wards of the city were collected and analyzed. Substantial release of leachate form the dump yards occurred during past few years and the soil at the dump site experience extensive contamination. The test results of contaminated and uncontaminated soil show increase in optimum moisture content and decrease in maximum dry density. The unconfined compressive strength decreased considerably for soil samples obtained at 0.0 m, 0.5 m and 1.0 m depths below waste dump. At depths greater than 1.5 m, compaction characteristics and unconfined compressive strength closely match with the uncontaminated soil. Little variation in pH value, which makes soil slightly alkaline, was observed. From the study, it is inferred that, this investigation is very significant, as the foundation normally at these depths may be affected by this contamination.

A Review on Soil Contamination Sources: Impact on Engineering Properties and Remediation Techniques

“…The findings reveal that increasing dye effluent lowers the values of CBR and the proportion of water necessary for soil change, such as the plastic and liquid limits [70]. The dry density of clayey soils treated with reliable alkaline discharges was lowered [71]. The pH, plasticity, and unconfined compressive strength of soil are lower due to untreated wastewater.…”