Impact of Solid Waste Disposal on Soil Characteristics in Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The increase in soil quality issues induced by rapid urbanization significantly affects solid waste management. Leachate infiltration, a byproduct of waste decomposition, presents considerable risks to the soil ecosystem. This study evaluates comparative soil quality parameters at a waste disposal site and a control location in Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. A total of six soil samples (three from each site) were collected from both the control and dumping sites at depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Key soil quality parameters, including electrical conductivity, pH, moisture content, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable Potassium, were analyzed in the collected samples. The soil chemical properties of the dumping and control sites showed significant differences. These differences demonstrated a depth-dependent trend: 0-15 cm exhibited higher values than 15-30 cm for all parameters except pH and moisture content. Soils at the dumping site displayed elevated levels of contamination compared to the control site, highlighting the considerable impact of solid waste on soil quality. Despite this contamination, the physical and chemical properties measured at the dumping site remained within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for soil quality. Solid waste poses serious environmental and public health challenges, including the inhalation of hazardous chemicals, obstruction of storm water drainage systems, and associations with adverse health outcomes such as congenital anomalies, cancer, and low birth weight. Furthermore, accumulating uncollected solid waste increases flooding risks by impeding storm water runoff. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of solid waste on soil ecosystems necessitates a thorough examination of pathogenic microorganisms and soil microbial populations.
Language: English
Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412371578