Seasonal Changes and Toxic Potency of Landfill Leachate for White Mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Landfills are the most broadly used methods for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). Leachate can be contaminated with pollutants that may pose a threat to the landfill surrounding namely soil, groundwater and surface waters.. Examination of leachate composition is determinative in long-term impact of landfills on the environment and human health. Moreover, it is essential to assess such prior knowledge for prevention of negative outcomes. The evaluation of the seasonal changes of landfill leachate and rainwater composition is presented in this paper. Research samples of leachate and rainwater were collected from February till June of 2017 (still ongoing) and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, series of trace elements, Subsequently the test of leachate toxicity for higher plants (Sinapis alba L.) was carried out. Up to now, the results do not indicate significant seasonal difference in landfill leachate composition, however the toxicity tests provided on Sinapis alba L. demonstrate that landfill leachates can present a significant source of contamination. This research can serve practical tools for evaluating quality and risk assessment for landfill leachate.