We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence of per- and polyfluorinated substances, microplastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products as emerging contaminants in landfill leachate: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how landfill leachate -- the liquid that seeps out of waste dumps -- contains significant levels of emerging contaminants including PFAS ("forever chemicals"), microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues. These pollutants can leak into groundwater and surface water at concentrations influenced by landfill age and composition, posing ongoing risks to drinking water safety and human health.
• Landfill leachate is a major source of emerging contaminants (EC) • EC levels are impacted by landfill characteristics and environmental factors • Short chain PFSAs and PFCAs are predominant in landfill leachate Emerging contaminants are prevalent in landfill leachate, known for their persistence and adverse health effects, posing significant challenges to the environment and public health. This review focuses on three main categories of emerging contaminants that have received growing attention: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Increased awareness of their prevalence in the environment has highlighted the need for comprehensive understanding. This paper thoroughly reviews the classification of these emerging contaminants and provides insights into the analytical methods used for their quantification, their occurrence in landfill leachate, and the remediation processes. Concentrations of these contaminants in landfill leachate range from a few nanograms per liter (ng/L) to hundreds of micrograms per liter (µg/L). These concentrations are influenced by factors such as landfill composition, age, waste decomposition stages, and environmental conditions. Despite advancements in understanding the occurrence of emerging contaminants in landfill leachate, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their behavior and fate. Addressing these gaps through further research is essential for achieving a clearer understanding of the transformation pathways of emerging contaminants in landfill settings.
More Papers Like This
Environmental and health implications of emerging pollutants in landfill leachate: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
Landfills don't just hold trash — the liquid that drains from them (called leachate) can carry a toxic cocktail of drug residues, microplastics, "forever chemicals" (PFAS), and hormone-disrupting compounds into groundwater, soil, and drinking water sources. This review of 50 studies found these pollutants are linked to cancer risk, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption, but most research looks at chemicals one at a time rather than studying the mixture people are actually exposed to. The takeaway: we need better testing methods and stronger regulations to understand — and reduce — the real-world health risks l
From surface to aquifer: a global synthesis of landfill leachate composition and its impact on groundwater systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This review of over 400 studies worldwide finds that landfills can leak a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals, PFAS "forever chemicals," and microplastics into groundwater, especially where rainfall is high and containment is poor. Older or unlined landfills pose the biggest risk, highlighting why proper engineering and long-term monitoring matter for keeping drinking water supplies safe.
Generation mechanisms, environmental behaviors, and treatment technologies of conventional and emerging contaminants in landfill leachate: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review systematically examines the generation, environmental behavior, and treatment of both conventional and emerging contaminants — including microplastics, antibiotics, and heavy metals — in landfill leachate, which poses major risks to surrounding soil and groundwater when improperly managed.
Sources, distribution, and impacts of emerging contaminants – a critical review on contamination of landfill leachate
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how landfill leachate, the liquid that drains from garbage dumps, carries emerging contaminants including microplastics into surrounding soil and water. The authors warn that microplastics in landfill leachate are a growing environmental threat and call for better treatment technologies to prevent contamination of groundwater and nearby ecosystems.
A Comprehensive Review of Landfill Leachate Impact on Groundwater Quality and Public Health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how landfill leachate — carrying pharmaceuticals, microplastics, heavy metals, and dissolved organics — migrates into surrounding groundwater through infiltration and redox-driven transport, documenting contamination plumes extending hundreds of meters from sites across Asia, Europe, and North America and linking exposure to kidney dysfunction, neurological disorders, and elevated cancer risk.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.