Trace Metals in the Atmospheric Deposition and Gaseous Emissions around Karadiyana Municipal Solid Waste Dumpsite, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Municipal solid waste accounts for ambient air pollution through heavy metals in atmospheric deposition and greenhouse gases. In the current study, heavy metal pollution was estimated by analyzing dust samples collected from Karadiyana solid waste dumpsite, Sri Lanka. Emission of CO2, CH4, NH3 and H2S were accounted for four locations within the dumpsite area using an air-trapping box and air quality monitor (Aeroqual HH S500L). Dust was collected from four sampling sites using 1.5 m height dust samplers, for the analysis of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) after acid digestion. Average Fe concentration of 1100 µg/L was detected in the samples while Cr concentration was only 13 µg/L. Both Cu and Cd showed an average dissolved element percentage of 54%, while other elements also showed considerable dissolubility percentages. A dissolved element amount of 59% was detected in samples collected from a house adjacent to the dumpsite. Total metal concentrations of 1306 and 2213 µg/L were exhibited at sites A and B, respectively. Both sites A and B showed an average concentration of 590 mg/L of total measured gaseous emissions. CO2 was detected as the predominant species at all four locations.