Muthanna Journal of Engineering and Technology
Volume (13), Issue (3), Year (2025), Pages (56-67)
DOI:10.52113/3/eng/mjet/2025-13-03-/56-67
Research Article By:
Fatin F. Aziz, Rania Al-Nawasir, Nuha Abdulsada Al-Mayyahi, Sarah Abdul Mahdi Musheer, Sajjad Abd Muslim Al-Jawasim and Nawras Alobaidy
Corresponding author E-mail: fatin.alkhuzaai@qu.edu.iq
ABSTRACT
Open and unsanitary landfills have served for many years in developing countries such as Iraq as a standard and economically inexpensive method of solid waste disposal. Leachate generated from these dumps’ bases seriously affects the surrounding environment, especially groundwater sources. There have been reports of potential environmental hazards associated with leachate in the Al-Diwaniyah open landfill in Iraq. Therefore, in this investigation the quality of groundwater and characteristics of observation wells around the dumpsite was studied. Groundwater samples collected from four hand-excavated wells at a dumpsite were analyzed periodically using standard methods in dry and wet seasons through the period (September 2023–March 2024) in order to evaluate leachate pollutants and their impact on groundwater quality. The main analyzed parameters in leachate and groundwater included pH, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, Total Suspended Solid, Total Dissolved Solid, BOD5, COD, Chloride, Sulphate, Nitrate, in addition to heavy metals including Iron, Zinc, Copper, Chromium, Lead, and Cadmium. To illustrate the spatial distribution of pollutants during the dry and rainy seasons, indicators were used to assess groundwater quality. The results of the groundwater quality index (Canadian model) reported poor groundwater and unsuitable for drinking and agriculture in (GW1, GW2) neighboring the dumpsite in the range of (100-500) m from the dumpsite. In contrast, GW3 water quality is often threatened, except for GW4, which was unsuitable for drinking but can be used for agriculture. Extending this research to other regions would enhance the environmental monitoring of groundwater and assess possible threats to human health in the study area. Constructing an engineered landfill that complies with authorized environmental standards would also be beneficial.
Keywords:
Al-Diwaniyah Dumpsite, Solid Waste, Leachate, Groundwater, Water Quality Index.