An Overview of Karachi Solid Waste Disposal Sites and Environs

Impact assessment is a powerful tool that has been remarkably successful in allowing the consideration of social, economic and environmental effects. The development in Pakistan is supported with the growth of the gross domestic product, the steady increase of the population and the change of lifestyle; resulting waste amounts have also increased considerably. Karachi is the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan with 10% of total population of country and generating more than 10,000 ton/ day solid waste. The main purpose of this study to assess the environmental impact of landfill sites activities in the study area. The impact of the solid waste activities in the area was consider on the area’s geomorphology, geology, air and water quality, biological resources and socio-cultural environment is considered. Potential impacts identified through review of literature, professional judgment, SWM process understanding and field observations at different landfill sites. Sampling was carried out of air, soil and groundwater samples and analysis them physical and chemical parameters. The finding of soil analyses reveals that soil is sandy with Case Study Abbasi et al.; JSRR, 6(4): 294-303, 2015; Article no.JSRR.2015.155 295 brown to yellowish brown color. pH range from 7.25 to 8.08, sulphates concentration is high. CO2 and CO level in air is higher according to national environmental quality standards. Analysis of groundwater samples showed that groundwater from most of the sites was within acceptable range. The major environmental impacts are land uptake, quality of resources, disturbance of small mammals and wild life.


INTRODUCTION
The solid waste management is a big challenge of any urban city of the World [1,2]. Solid waste is directly related to urbanization, living standards and consumption pattern, it is by-product of human activities [3]. According to the definition Solid waste as non solid material that has no value to the person who is generating it [4]. Municipal Solid Waste is residential and commercial wastes produced in municipal or notified areas, including treated bio-medical wastes but excluding industrial hazardous wastes [5].
The volume of waste generated in any given society is directly related to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, economic activities and household consumption levels [6,7,8]. The modes of disposal of these wastes depend on the cultural practices of the people who live within the society. Due to the environmental as well as public health reasons collection, processing, transport and disposal of solid waste are very important [9,10,11]. The amount of solid waste within the living environment exerts negative effects on public health. With respect to health, indiscriminate dumping of waste increases the risk of transmission of wide range of communicable diseases. Different strategies have been proposed for reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering energy and disposing of solid waste [12,13] but these strategies are controversial according to the environmental impacts [14,15,16,17,18]. Solid waste management is a worldwide phenomenon [19]. It is a great challenge for the human beings of all over the world. Impact assessment is a preventive and protection tool for environment which makes it possible to comply with environmental policies, and even incorporates early such policies into the development and decision making processes. The aim of this study to evaluate the landfills related activities and operations against Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency standards and against international environmental guidelines

STUDY AREA
Karachi is the biggest city of the Republic of Pakistan which locates in the northwest of the Indus River Delta and at the south of Arabian Sea with population more than nineteen million [20], this accounts around 10% of total population in Pakistan and growing with twice of national growth rate [21]. Half of the population is migrated from rural and upper areas. Increase in population therefore leads to problems urban poverty, housing and transportation, destitute people or informal squatters, waste generation, water and sanitation, and other problems related to urban infrastructure and congestion of city. The study area is Karachi city consisting 18 towns with 10 landfill sites (Table 1).
The city of Karachi is also facing the poor municipal solid waste management system. Waste management is an important issue for mega cities to use urban waste in the most resource recovery and energy-efficient manner considering that landfill is not a sustainable option for waste management in general [1]. Solid waste is important income source of many poor families, it is sold and bought just like other material. For the reduction of poverty, integrated approaches for waste management can be used [22]. City generates more than 10,000 tons per day municipal solid waste, from which 60% is dumped at the landfill sites and the remaining 40% remains on the streets, which is not properly collected [23]. The existing solid waste collection and transportation management system in Karachi is not perfect. There is a lack of long term plans, as a result in a number of disjointed, ad-hoc and often counterproductive plan, policies and administrative frameworks. The municipal infrastructure construction has been lagged behind by the economic development, which become the bottle-neck to the hinder the faster and better development of the municipal economy. Waste collection, disposal and transport as well as street sweepings responsibility lie with the municipal authorities [24,25].

Statutory Requirement and Standards in Pakistan
The The most important document for environmental issues in the country is National Conservation Strategy (NCS), which was approved by the federal cabinet in March 1992. The NCS identified 14 core areas in which policy intervention is considered crucial for the preservation of Pakistan's natural environment. It includes biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention and abatement, the restoration of rangelands, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 is the fundamental legislative instrument empowering the government to frame regulations for the protection of the environment.

National laws and regulation
The first specific governmental commitment to environmental improvement and to deal with the matter of waste in Pakistan is "Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1983". As federal legislation, the ordinance established the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC), headed by the president of Pakistan, as the supreme environmental policy making body in the country and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak EPA) at the federal level and the environmental protection agencies at provincial level in four provinces of the country to administer and implement the provisions of the ordinance. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (the body mainly responsible for enforcing the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act) has issued national environmental quality standards. In 1997 the improved ordinance was enacted, after the approval from the Parliament as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA).

International treaties
Perhaps our most urgent task today is to persuade nations of the need to return to multilateralism, after a decade and half of a standstill or even deterioration in global cooperation the time has come for higher expectations, for common goals pursued together, for an increased political will to address our common future [26]. Pakistan is a signatory to various international conventions and treaties on environmental conservation and protection of wild life. The country is obliged to adhere to the commitment specified in these conventions and treaties (Table 2).

Demographic
Karachi comprises the world second most populated city. The city credits its growth to the  Fig. 1 shows the population distribution within one kilometer radius of the study sites. There are two sites in densely populated areas i.e. Mehmoodabad and Lines Area. The livelihoods of the people in the study area mainly depend on labor, jobs and small business. Majority of the people belong to lowermiddle class (Fig. 2).

Education
The education facilities in Karachi at present are over and above the national standards of educational level. Educational facilities are available in 90% of areas covered due to commercialization of education and active role of private sector. Private organization, NGOs, autonomous bodies have all taken part in providing educational facilities. 60% of schools in the study areas are run by private system. Literacy rate and percentage of school going children were reported different at different areas (Table 3).

Health
There is lack of adequate health facilities in the area. The numbers of government health facilities are very low as less than 20% area has a health facility provided by the government. The people of this area suffer great pollution, sanitation, garbage and unhygienic condition problems. The most common health problems of the study area are respiratory disease (chest infection, cough and cold), waterborne disease (gastro, hepatitis) and infectious disease.   For chemical parameters groundwater sample analysis was carried out for chloride, calcium and magnesium by titrimetric methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Remaining parameters were determined by DR -2800 UV VIS spectrophotometer of HACH USA. In case of soil tests samples were analyzed according to manual procedure of soil test kit model no. SIW-1 HACH, USA. Procedure for air investigation was followed that was adopted by Ghose [27] in his study to measure the air pollution status. Literature was reviewed for secondary data on weather, soil, water resources, wildlife, vegetation and communities. Information on relevant legislation, regulations, guidelines and standards was reviewed. Some personal interviews conducted with the key stakeholders.
In the light of collected information potential environmental issues were identified.

Geology
The geology of the areas is composed of sedimentary formation of marine origin. Lithologically sand, clay, limestones, sandstones and shales are found in the area, having geological age from Recent, Gaj to Nari. Limestones present in the project area are of argillaceous and arenaceous character. Some other limestones are rich in corals. Some sandstones possess cross bedding. Structurally the study area is complex one as anticline or domal structure particularly near Orangi Hills has been eroded because of weathering and erosion of softer material i.e. shale, soft limestone etc. Local faults and unconformities are visible.

Geomorphology
The geomorphology provides a structure for describing and explaining the pattern and the process described as a result of close association between vegetation types and geomorphology. It is also useful in terms of the changes that are taking place in erosion and deposition over a time. The area is composed of mostly limestone and sandstone formations, that have been uplifted and compressed by Cenozoic collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia, which has resulted into formation of a plunging anticline or domal structure near Orangi hills near Manghopir, cut by fault.

Soil
The finding of soil analyses reveal that the texture of the soil ranges from sandy to loamy sands and sandy loams. The colors are brown to yellowish brown. Their pH value ranges from 7.25 to 8.08. Very high conductivity particularly at Gond Pass (sample 1, 2 and 3), Dhabeji (sample 1), Meva Shah (sample 2), Korangi Graveyard (sample 1, 2 and 5) and Mehboodabd (sample 1) suggest that these are saline soils, whereas low conductivity at Jam Chakro(sample 1 and 2), Korangi Graveyard (sample 1), Gond Pass (sample 4), Meva Shah (sample 3), Orangi (sample 1), Dhabeji (sample 2) and Shipowner Collage site suggest these are non-saline soils. Safari Park and Korangi Graveyard (sample 4) are semi-saline soil with medium conductivity. Chemical analyses of soil further reveal that saline soils are particularly rich in sulphates as comparison to nitrates or phosphates. Due to the presence of industrial chemical waste at Gond Pass and Orangi sites the concentration of sulphate is high and phosphate is comparatively low. The Dhabeji site is rocky and soil contains 310 -2050 mg/l sulphate, 14 -68 mg/l phosphate and 130 -150mg/l nitrate. Soil from the Korangi area site showed high concentration of sulphate because of pharmaceutical waste (Fig. 3).

Air Quality
Air pollution is a significant factor shaping public health. It is a critical problem in Karachi city with possibly serious health impact. Result shows that the concentration of CO 2 and CO in air is higher/ exceeding NEQS levels at most of the sites. The Jam Chakro is highly polluted area with concentration of CO 2 is 372 -405 ppm and PM10 is 319 -350 µg/m 3 . In Gond Pass site the smell of organic waste was spread in the area, CO and CO 2 concentration is very high range 2.5 -7.8 and 386 -430 ppm respectively. Dhabbeji site is fresh but at the short distance various industries have been established that can pollute air and high concentration of CO 2 350 -360 ppm. Concentration of CO, CO 2 and PM10 at Korangi site is 1 -1.6 ppm, 360 -375 ppm and 240 -270 µg/m 3 respectively, higher then NEQS level. Safari park and Shipowner collage sites are unpolluted and concentrations are within NEQS level. In Mehmoodabd site the concentration of CO 2 in air is higher range 350 -352 ppm. The reason of higher concentration is because of asphalt plant and auto exhaust. The concentrations of other factors in most of the sites are below the detection limits (Table 4).

Water Quality
Freshwater resources can be contaminated by leachate from landfill sites. Leachate may cause water pollution if not properly managed. Surface water from a landfill site can cause unacceptable sediments loads in receiving water, while uncontrolled surface water runoff can lead to excessive generation of leachate. The water quality in the study area suggests that the surface water at Jam Chakro Landfill site is acceptable quality for drinking and agriculture purposes. The samples were obtained from Hub Canal which is flowing in the area. There is no sign of leachete effect on it because canal has been completely lined to save it from infiltration into adjoining land. Surface water at another landfill Gond Pass site when chemically and biologically tested, found not fit for drinking or agriculture purpose. Looking to its quite high values of TDS 3672 mg/l, Cl 1496 mg/l and particularly SO 4 at 720 mg/l, there is possibility that water might be gradually effected by leachete. Surface water at Dhabeji site could not be found, however quality of groundwater found satisfactory. Since this landfill site is newly proposed and to be developed in stages therefore currently there is no garbage which is being dumped consequently effect of leachete could not be measured. TDS limits between 842 mg/l to 1842 mg/l and biologically also within limit. Groundwater quality from Meva Shah was found highly contaminated chemically as well as biologically. Groundwater at Lines Area is fit chemically and biologically. Groundwater of Korangi site is chemically marginal, however biologically not fit for drinking. TDS is 1029 mg/l with Cl and SO 4 within WHO limits while total coliform are higher. Orangi and Mehmoodabad sites no groundwater (well or tube well) is available, however surface water found from a small depression is chemically within WHO prescribed limits (Table. 5

CONCLUSION
The climate of Karachi can be characterized by humid and moderate to hot condition. The mean minimum and maximum temperatures vary from 0ºC -47ºC, high temperature are experienced in summer. Mean annual rainfall at Karachi is 203 mm. Most of the sites have poor air quality due to improper landfill operation and dumping. The air quality especially at Jam Chakroo and Gond Pass sites is highly polluted, CO 2 , CO and PM concentration is higher than NEQS. Dust and gas emission can give rise to nuisance and health problems. The Ph of groundwater samples is slightly alkaline and more than 70% samples have higher TDS and conductivity which showed the leachete effect. Most of the area is covered with subtropical scrub vegetation like Accacia senegal, Accacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, Prospis juliflora are naturalized, Zizyphus moniciatinen, Tamarix dioca, Salvadora and some species of zerophytic grasses are found. Many wildlife species and bird species are present. Many reptile species like snake and lizards are found due to humidity and normal temperature. The livelihood of the people in study areas mainly depends on garbage collection and labor work. Different communities have settled in areas for purpose of garbage collection and selling. There is lack of adequate health facilities in the areas. The people of these areas suffer great pollution, sanitation, garbage and unhygienic condition problems. The biodiversity of the area and its surrounding consist of 154 species, 34 mammals, 154 birds, and 20 reptiles. The communities present are poor and vulnerable with low human development indicators.

Final Comments
The potential impact of landfill sites in most of the areas is significant and overall the following improvements are needed  Improvement in health conditions of the city resident as in the existing conditions many diseases outbreak due to waste mishandling.  Need to improve waste transported in proper vehicles avoiding the dropping of waste on streets while transportation.  Significant reduction of land/ groundwater contamination is needed  Significant reduction in air pollution as the open burning of waste is currently done at landfill sites and even along roads  Significant improvement in the health conditions of workers of dumping sites.  Clean city will give a better aesthetic value