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Spatial distribution of microplastic concentration around landfill sites and its potential risk on groundwater
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Researchers found microplastic contamination in groundwater near two municipal waste dump sites in South India, with levels ranging from 2 to 80 particles per liter. Nylon was the most common type found, making up 70% of particles, and the contamination was traced back to degrading buried plastic waste. This is concerning because many communities rely on groundwater for drinking, and these findings show landfills can be a direct source of microplastics in drinking water.
Plastic plays a major role in today's human life; moreover, it becomes a part of our life, yet it is a most challenging threat for the freshwater ecosystems in the future. The present study identifies, characterizes, and quantifies the microplastics in groundwater samples around Perungudi and Kodungaiyur municipal solid waste dumpsites in South India. To evaluate and assess the microplastic abundance, characteristics (composite, size, colour, shape, and surface morphology), detection methods of plastic particles, and potential risk factors from the absorption of microplastic in groundwater. Further, the microplastic particle classification was performed using LB-340 Zoom Stereo Microscope with LED Illumination, ATR-FTIR fitted with SEM with EDX analyzer. The groundwater samples (n = 20) were found contaminated with microplastic particles in the range of 2-80 items/L with coloured particles, white (38%), black (27%), green (8%), red (18%), blue (6%), and yellow (2%). The polymer type was found to occur in the following order: nylon (70%), pellets (18%), foam (6%), fragments (3%), fibers/PVC (2%), and polythene (1%). In both sampling sites, 90% of microplastics are derived from the buried plastics and waste fragmentation which are predominantly of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS). Micro and nano plastics abundance in groundwater is of paramount importance as it has a major impact on human health. This study throws light on the characteristics and quantification of the microplastics in groundwater that initiates further research by which microplastics enter into the environment.
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Exploring the abundance of microplastics in Indian landfill leachate: An analytical study
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Researchers analyzed microplastics in leachate from two major landfills in India and found concentrations of 1,473 to 2,067 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. Polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, and PVC were the most common plastic types identified. Since landfill leachate can seep into groundwater and nearby water bodies, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination of drinking water sources near dump sites.
Implications of solid waste dumps on the microplastic abundance in groundwater in Kollam, India
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Groundwater wells near waste dump sites in Kollam, India contained an average of 12 microplastic particles per liter, with fibers being the most common type. Larger dump sites were associated with higher microplastic levels, and the groundwater near heavy dumping sites was also more acidic, suggesting leachate from waste dumps is contaminating the water supply. This is a direct human health concern because many communities depend on well water for drinking, and microplastics in groundwater are difficult to remove.
Microplastics in Landfill Environments: Distribution, Characteristics, and Risks from Gampong Jawa, Indonesia
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Researchers examined microplastic distribution across soil, leachate, river water, and well water surrounding a landfill in Gampong Jawa, Indonesia. They found alarmingly high concentrations in well water (up to 979 particles per liter) and soil (over 23,000 particles per kilogram), with fragments, fibers, and films being the most common types. The study demonstrates that landfills are significant sources of microplastic contamination that can spread to surrounding communities through water and soil pathways.
Microplastic and POP contamination in rural waste-dumping sites, India
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Researchers collected soil and water samples from unregulated waste-dumping sites in rural Tamil Nadu, India, finding microplastics in all samples, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and agricultural land.
Microplastic distribution in monitoring well water in the final landfill area Putri Cempo Surakarta Indonesia
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Researchers sampled groundwater from seven monitoring wells around a landfill in Surakarta, Indonesia, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 320 to 1,960 particles per liter. Polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene fragments dominated the samples, confirming that landfills are a significant source of microplastic contamination in groundwater that communities depend on for drinking water.
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