Chemical composition and genotoxicity assessment of sanitary landfill leachate from Rovinj, Croatia

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Abstract

Chemical analysis and an in vitro approach were performed to assess elemental composition and genotoxic effects of the samples of landfill leachate taken from Lokva Vidotto sanitary landfill the official landfill for Rovinj town, Croatia. Two samples of landfill leachate were collected and analyzed in order to evaluate macro, micro and trace elements by atomic absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and colorimetry. Genotoxicity of sanitary landfill leachate was evaluated in human lymphocytes by the use of the micronucleus test and comet assay. Samples were characterized with relatively low concentrations of heavy metals while organic component level exceeded upper permissible limit up to 39 times. Observed genotoxic effects should be connected with high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, which exceeded permissible limit up to 180 times. Leachate samples of both sanitary landfills increased the frequency of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds. Increase of DNA damage in human lymphocytes was also detected by virtue of measuring comet assay parameters. All parameters showed statistically significant difference compared to negative control. Increased micronucleus and comet assay parameters indicate that both samples of sanitary landfill leachate are genotoxic and could pose environmental and human health risk if discharged to an aquatic environment.

Highlights

► Chemical and genotoxic analysis were performed on the samples of landfill leachate. ► Samples were characterized with relatively low concentrations of heavy metals. ► Organic component level in the samples exceeded upper permissible limit. ► Genotoxic effects should be connected with high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen. ► Results indicate that samples are genotoxic and pose environmental and health risk.

Introduction

Sanitary landfill that is commonly present in urban areas is often related to potential environmental pollution of groundwater or surface water, and in that manner pose a risk to human health as well (Cabrera and Rodriguez, 1997, Hu, 2000, Kjeldsen et al., 2002, Slack et al., 2005). The main toxic compound of sanitary landfill is leachate, characterized by its high concentrations of numerous toxic and carcinogenic chemicals such as heavy metals and organic matter (Halim et al., 2005, Li et al., 2004, Schrab et al., 1993). Additionally, the leachates can be also contaminated with bacteria, including aerobic, psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria, coliform and fecal coliforms, and spore-forming-bacteria, including Clostridium perfringens and with filamentous fungi (Matejczyk et al., 2011).

It has been reported that a small amount of landfill leachate can pollute large volume of groundwater, which can contaminate and affect biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and in that way contaminate food chains (Bakare et al., 2000, Christensen et al., 1994, Garaj-Vrhovac et al., 2009). Such multiple chemical exposures may pose a higher risk than it could be deduced from studies evaluating the effect of a single substance. Several studies have confirmed genotoxic potential of leachates, reporting a significant increase in frequencies of micronuclei, sister chromatid exchanges, and chromosomal aberrations, DNA disturbances and cut-downs of mitotic indexes in different cell types and model systems (Amahdar et al., 2009, Bakare et al., 2005, Chandra et al., 2005, Donnelly et al., 1990, Ernst et al., 1994, Feng et al., 2007, Gajski et al., 2011, Li et al., 2008, Monarca et al., 2002, Sang and Li, 2004, Sang et al., 2006, Tewari et al., 2005). The cytogenetic abnormalities and DNA damage induced by landfill leachate implicate that consummation of leachate contaminated water could increase the risk of developing adverse health consequences. As a result, it has become important to monitor the potential toxicity of sanitary landfill leachate.

Determination of the chemical composition and the genotoxic potential of chemicals discharged from industrial and domestic sources such as sanitary landfill are necessary for environmental protection and public health. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential genotoxicity of two samples of landfill leachate taken from sanitary landfill of Croatian town Rovinj, located on the Istrian peninsula in the northern Adriatic Sea (Fig. 1). Lokva Vidotto landfill was situated outside of the town Rovinj. It was opened in 2001 and built according to the highest standards of environmental protection, which among other include management of generated gases and collection of landfill leachate into lagoon. Since 2010, membrane bioreactor combined with granular activated carbon was employed for landfill leachate treatment. After the treatment purified water was used for technical purposes at the landfill.

Macro, micro and trace elements were evaluated by atomic absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and colorimetry. Genotoxic damage was assessed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by use of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test and the comet assay to measure primary DNA damage. The current use of these in vitro genotoxicity tests together with the chemical analyses could provide information to help water-works managers and health authorities evaluate water quality and adopt strategies to reduce genotoxic compounds before discharging it into an aquatic environment to prevent human exposure to these compounds.

Section snippets

Chemical analysis

The samples of landfill leachate were collected from the lagoon, which receives landfill leachate at sanitary landfill Rovinj, Croatia. The sampling was carried out in April (sample R1) and May (sample R2), 2008. During each sampling 2L of the leachate was collected, put in acid pre-treated polyethylene bottles, transported to the laboratory and kept refrigerated (+4 °C) until been analyzed for chemical composition and genotoxic potential. For macro, micro and trace elements samples were

Results

Results of the chemical analysis of two samples of landfill leachate from Rovinj sanitary landfill are presented in Table 1. It was formed by the complex physico-chemical and biochemical transformations of solid waste deposited at sanitary landfill as well as by percolation of atmospheric water thorough the waste body of sanitary landfill. It is characterized by dark color, unpleasant odor, high conductivity, relatively high concentration of organic matter and nitrogen species as well as

Discussion

Detection of the potentially hazardous compounds in the surface and ground waters is a complex task since many different sources (industrial drainages, agricultural irrigations and urban wastes) can contribute to water pollution. Pollution of those water sources poses a potential threat not only to the environment but to human health as well. Genotoxicity of unknown mixtures such as landfill leachate is usually evaluated by exposing such samples to living organisms or cells in vitro to

Conclusions

Leachates from landfill sites are significant source of water pollution, which can contaminate ground and surface water reservoirs including the sea. Sites contaminated with this type of hazardous material are a topical and urgent problem all over the world indicating the necessity for the appropriate risk assessment in order to determine health risks associated with contaminated sites. The methods used in this research prove to be reliable and useful biomarkers in evaluation of the exposure to

Acknowledgments

The study is a part of a research project supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (Grant no. 022-0222148-2125).

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