We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics as emergent contaminants in landfill leachate: Source, potential impact and remediation technologies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how landfills generate microplastics as buried plastic waste gradually degrades from physical, chemical, and biological processes. These microplastics enter the environment through leachate, the contaminated liquid that seeps from landfills into surrounding soil and groundwater. The authors evaluate current remediation technologies and highlight the need for better landfill management to reduce this growing source of microplastic pollution.
A significant amount of plastic waste is generated each year on a global scale, in which the maximum quantity of plastic waste is typically dumped in landfills in various parts of the world. Moreover, dumping plastic waste in landfills cannot address the issue of proper disposal; it simply delays the process. Exploiting waste resources entails environmental hazards because plastic wastes buried in landfills gradually break down into Microplastics (MPs) due to physical, chemical, and biological effects. The possibility of landfill leachate as a source of MPs in the environment has not received much attention. Without systematic treatment, MPs in leachate increase the risk to human health and environmental health since they contain dangerous and toxic pollutants and antibiotic resistance genes transmitted by leachate vectors. Due to their severe environmental risks, MPs are now widely recognized as emerging pollutants. Therefore, the composition of MPs in landfill leachate and the interaction of MPs with other hazardous contaminants are summarised in this review. The available potential mitigation or treatment methods of MPs in landfill leachate as of now, along with the drawbacks and challenges of the present leachate treatment for eliminating MPs, are described in this review. Since it is unclear how MPs will be removed from the current leachate facilities, it is crucial to develop innovative treatment facilities as quickly as possible. Finally, the areas that require more research to provide complete solutions to the persistent problem of plastic debris are discussed.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in landfill leachate: Sources, abundance, characteristics, remediation approaches and future perspective
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the sources, abundance, and characteristics of microplastics found in landfill leachate, a difficult-to-treat waste liquid that can carry pollutants into the environment. The authors highlight the urgent need for standardized microplastic analysis methods and more research into cost-effective approaches for removing microplastics from leachate before it reaches waterways.
Microplastics in Landfill Leachate
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines microplastic contamination in landfill leachate, the liquid that drains from landfills and can contaminate groundwater and surface water. Landfills are major reservoirs of plastic waste that generate microplastics through physical and chemical breakdown, representing a significant but often overlooked contamination pathway.
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 review on microplastics in landfill leachate: formation, occurrence, detection, and removal techniques
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined microplastics in landfill leachate, covering their formation from degrading plastic waste, reported concentrations in leachate, detection methods, and available removal technologies. The authors identify landfill leachate as a significant and underregulated source of microplastic release into surrounding environments.
Microplastics in landfill leachate: Occurrence, health concerns, and removal strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics form and accumulate in landfill leachate, the liquid that drains from waste sites. As plastic waste breaks down in landfills, it releases microplastic particles that can contaminate surrounding soil and water. The authors assess health concerns from leachate-borne microplastics and evaluate removal strategies, highlighting an often-overlooked pathway for microplastic pollution.
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.