3.1. Analysis of the Leachate Extract of the Organic Fraction
The physicochemical results obtained for the leached extract of the organic fraction for each region (R1, R2 and R3) are illustrated in
Table 2, in which it was possible to verify Aluminum values between 5.198 and 1.775 mg/L, values for Barium 1, 33 and 0.44 mg/L, Boron in values between 1.16 and 1.30 mg/L, values for Lead between 0.03 and 0.05 mg/L, Copper between 0.22 and 0.35 mg/L L, Chromium in values between 0.055 and 0.075 mg/L, values for Iron between 28.5 and 160.4 mg/L, Manganese in values between 0.265 and 1.910 mg/L, Nickel between 0.06 and 0.15 mg/L L, Sodium values varied between 748 and 1047.8 mg/L, for Zinc the values were between 1.30 and 2.85 mg/L, for Calcium the value was 82.9 mg/L and finally the values found for Magnesium were between 39.83 and 61.92 mg/L. For the other elements that were not mentioned, the detected values were below the limit of quantification.
Figure 5 illustrates the results of the concentrations of some metals, such as boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na), found in the three regions studied.
The presence of boron and barium in solid waste leachate is mainly attributed to the use of consumer products that contain them in their formulations. For example, boron is found in products such as detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics and pesticides. When these products are discarded in landfills, the boron can dissolve in the water present in the waste and become part of the leachate. Likewise, barium is present in products such as alkaline batteries and certain types of paint. Disposal of these products in landfills can result in the release of barium into the leachate as they decompose [
41,
42].
These chemical elements, present in commonly used products, can represent an environmental challenge when improperly disposed of, contributing to the contamination of the leachate and, consequently, the environment. Therefore, it is important to consider waste management strategies that minimize the impact of these elements on the waste cycle [
42].
Calcium may be present in solid waste leachate from several sources. For example, materials such as cardboard, paper and certain types of plastics may contain calcium as an additive. When these products are disposed of in landfills, calcium can be released into the leachate during the decomposition process. Additionally, calcium is present in food and organic waste, this essential mineral is found in many foods. When these wastes are landfilled, the calcium in them can be leached as they decompose [
41]. The presence of this element requires adequate attention, as it can have environmental and health implications. Therefore, it is important to consider effective waste management strategies to deal with calcium and other contaminants present in leachate.
Food and other organic residues present in solid waste leachate naturally contain magnesium, and include a variety of materials of plant and animal origin. Magnesium is an essential mineral found in many foods and plants, and is present in different forms in organic waste. Here are some examples of organic waste that may contain magnesium: fresh fruits and vegetables are natural sources of magnesium; when the remains of these foods are discarded, they contribute to the presence of magnesium in organic waste; Fruit and vegetable peels, as well as food scraps, contain magnesium. These are often discarded as organic waste and can be composted to take advantage of their nutrients, including magnesium, leaves, twigs, grass clippings and other garden scraps contain magnesium, as plants absorb this mineral from the soil during their growth [
42] .
The maximum permitted values (VMP) for boron, barium and sodium are, respectively, 0.5 mg/L, 0.7 mg/L and 200 mg/L for human consumption, as established in Resolution 396/2008 [
43]. Results for this research show that boron concentrations exceeded VMP in all three regions. Barium exceeded the limit in the leachate from regions R1 and R3, while sodium also exceeded the value allowed by the resolution in all regions. Although the predominant concentrations of heavy metals in this study are above the typical values established for groundwater in the Brazilian standard, they still do not violate release standards.
In the study conducted by Krugel [
41], several metals were identified in the leachate from the waste treatment plant in Curitiba (PR), including barium, boron and manganese with concentrations of 10.87, 0.67 and 3.65 mg. /L, respectively. Only boron and manganese are above the maximum limit permitted according to CONAMA Resolution No. 430/2011[
44]. According to FAO [
45], barium is considered toxic to living beings due to the possibility of acute or chronic intoxication. As for boron, its classification is complex: it is considered possibly essential and its biological functions are still being studied by the scientific community, as mentioned by [
45,
46]
Compared to studies by Samadder et al. [
47] who investigated the evaluation of physicochemical parameters and the detection of toxic metals in the soil and groundwater around solid waste disposal areas in a city in India. The results revealed considerable variations in calcium concentration. The maximum calcium concentration was 933 mg/kg, while the minimum was 143 mg/kg. As for magnesium, concentrations measured in the soil were remarkably high, with minimums and maximums of 292 mg/kg and 948 mg/kg, respectively. Around 60% of the soil samples showed magnesium concentrations above 500 mg/kg. In contrast, in this study, the values obtained for calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were lower.
Edokpayi et al. [
48] conducted research on the levels of some main metals (Na, Mg and Ca) present in leachate from the Thohoyandou landfill, Limpopo province, South Africa. The results indicated that these levels did not exceed the limits considered safe for dispose of in water bodies. However, there is concern about the continued migration of salt-rich leachate to surface and underground water sources, which could increase salinity levels in river and underground aquifers.
Figure 6 presents the results of the concentrations of various metals, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), detected in the three regions analyzed. Discarded products such as aluminum cans, aluminum foil and food packaging contribute to the natural presence of aluminum in solid waste leachate.
Research indicates that the concentration of arsenic in leachate varies widely depending on the composition of the waste, landfill conditions and decomposition processes. Continuous monitoring and detailed studies are essential to better understand the dynamics of arsenic in leachate and develop effective mitigation strategies. This heavy metal can be found in leachate due to the decomposition of various types of waste that contain arsenic compounds, such as some chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides that contain arsenic compounds. Lead is one of the heavy metals frequently found in leachate from landfills and municipal solid waste. Its presence in leachate is a significant concern due to its environmental impacts and public health risks. This metal can be found in several forms, including lead-acid batteries, lead-based paint residues, especially in construction and demolition materials, and electronic components that contain lead in solders and circuits.
Lead concentrations exceeded 0.2 mg/L in regions R1 and R2 for groundwater, however, for release purposes it meets legislation [
44,
45,
46,
47,
48,
49]. Various human activities, such as the disposal of lead-containing paint waste, lead batteries, and piping, are related to higher concentrations of lead in leachate [
50]. For dissolved aluminum, all regions exhibit concentrations above 0.2 mg/L for groundwater [
43].
Lange et al [
26] investigated the technical feasibility of treating landfill leachate through an advanced oxidative process (AOP) using Fenton's reagent. These experiments were conducted at the Belo Horizonte Landfill. The results indicated that the levels of metals such as Al (0.22 mg/L) and As (0.11 mg/L) for the raw leachate were lower compared to those found in the current study.
Hussain et al. [
51] conducted a study to assess the environmental impacts of leachate produced by municipal solid waste landfills on groundwater in India. The physicochemical properties and the presence of metals in the leachate were analyzed. Additionally, leach levels from these landfills were compared to standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1986 in order to assess their compliance with environmental regulations. It was observed that the concentration of lead and arsenic were respectively 0.6 mg/L and 1.86 mg/L, the concentration of these metals exceeds the typical values laid down in Indian norms for the disposal of wastewater in surface water bodies. It is important to highlight that heavy metals of concern to human health, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, are present in all leachate samples from the respective study [
52].
In their 2015 study, Riguetti [
53] and collaborators investigated the concentrations of several metals, including lead, in leachate samples collected at the Dourados landfill, Mato Grosso do Sul/Brazil. Samples were collected from two reservoirs, one subjected to aerobic treatment and the other to anaerobic treatment. Over the course of four collections, carried out between 2012 and 2013, covering both dry and rainy periods, data for analysis were obtained.
In most analyses, it was found that the lead concentration was higher during the first and second collections, both for the lagoon with aerobic treatment and for the one with anaerobic treatment. These results suggest that the increase in the volume of water in the landfill had an impact on the availability and mobility of these elements. The highest values were recorded in the second collection: 0.587 mg/L in the anaerobic lagoon and 1.280 mg/L in the aerobic lagoon. In this context, the dilution of the leachate did not result in a reduction in concentration, suggesting that the availability and mobility of lead were higher than those of manganese and zinc.
Similar results were observed by Oliveira and Santana [
54], who reported an increase in the concentration of lead in water contaminated by landfills during periods of rain, indicating a greater mobility of this element during this period.
Figure 7 presents the results of the concentrations of some metals, such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), identified in the three regions analyzed. Chromium is also one of the metals present in solid waste leachate, some sources may contain chromium as cleaning products contain chromium compounds, another example is leather materials treated with chromium compounds such as shoes and clothing.
Regarding copper, its presence in leachate can be attributed to different sources, such as electrical cables, circuit boards and other electronic components can contain copper, copper tubes used in plumbing systems and pipe connections can contribute to the presence of copper in the leachate. The presence of iron in municipal solid waste leachate is common and can occur due to the decomposition of a variety of iron-containing materials, as well as natural and industrial processes. Iron is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust and is present in many everyday products and materials.
The presence of manganese in municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate can be attributed to several consumer products, such as batteries, paints and coatings, which may contain manganese in their formulations. Nickel is another metal that can be present in MSW leachate, although generally in lower concentrations compared to other metals such as iron, copper or manganese. Its sources include discarded electronic products, such as cell phones, computers and household appliances, which may contain nickel in their circuit boards and other parts. Additionally, some rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries used in electronic devices, may contain nickel.
Zinc can also be present in MSW leachate, being found in electronic products, paints, coatings and in some batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, which may contain zinc. These metals, when present in leachate, pose environmental concerns due to their toxicity and potential impacts on public health and the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to implement appropriate treatment measures to minimize the risks associated with the presence of these metals and protect water quality and the ecosystem.
It is evident that for this research the dissolved iron content exceeded the maximum permissible limits for groundwater (0.3 mg/L) according to the standard and for the release standard (15 mg/L) in all three regions [
43,
44,
49]. According to Lindamulla et al. [
55], in their research on the quality of leachate from waste disposal sites in tropical climate zones, the presence of iron (Fe) is generally attributed to the disposal of metallic waste and tin-based products, along with other heavy metals. The presence of iron in municipal solid waste leachate is common and can be attributed to several factors, such as the presence of discarded metallic materials, such as metal packaging, kitchen utensils and metal parts, which are discarded daily as municipal solid waste. Corrosion of these materials over time can release iron into the leachate [
55].
Manganese concentrations were observed to be high in the R2 and R3 regions. Chromium exceeded the Maximum Allowable Value (MPV) established for groundwater in all three regions, while zinc and nickel presented low concentrations, not representing a significant risk of contamination to groundwater or surface water.
Hussein et al [
56] focused their study on evaluating heavy metal contamination in leachate and surface soils in different landfills in Malaysia. Elevated levels of Cr and As were observed in raw leachate in the landfills of Sungai Udang and Ladang Tanah Merah cities, which were reduced to the standard limit after treatment. Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb) were also observed in the leachate from both landfills, however they were within stipulated standards. The increase in arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) levels is probably related to agricultural activities and industrial processes.
Additionally, wood waste from construction, demolition, utility poles, highway barriers, landscape structures, and wood products factories can also contribute to high metal contents, especially As, Cr, and Cu, due to leaching of these metals. from wood generally treated with preservatives containing chromated copper arsenate, the most serious risk occurs when the treated wood is burned. However, both parameters are often neglected in most pollution tracking, monitoring and control programs, despite the widespread environmental threat that these pollutants pose [
57].
Fu et al. [
58] investigated heavy metal pollution in the surface sediments of the Jialu River in China. The average values of heavy metals in the sediments were as follows: Cr (60.80 mg/kg), Cu (39.22 mg/kg), Ni (42.44 mg/kg) and Zn (107.58 mg/kg ). Comparing these concentration levels with other basins in China, it was observed that the Zn level is 1.5 times higher in the Jialu River than in the Huaihe River Basin, also located in China. However, the levels of other heavy metals are similar between the Jialu River and the Huaihe River basin. Compared to rivers and lakes in other regions of China and other countries, metal levels in the Jialu River are considerably lower. Specifically, the levels of Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the Jialu River are at least three times lower than in other parts of the world.
Alves et al. [
59] sought to quantify the levels of several metals, including Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn, in samples of surface water and sediments from the Rio Pardo, located in Brazil. Additionally, the study evaluated the risks to human health associated with exposure to these metals through oral ingestion and dermal absorption. The results revealed that the average levels of manganese and zinc in the water were the highest, regardless of the season, in Rio Pardo. According to authors Antweiler et al., 2012, manganese can be found in water supplies due to natural processes such as watershed erosion and the dissolution of manganese-containing minerals near the sediment-water interface. On the other hand, higher zinc levels in regions with large sugarcane production may be the result of the widespread use of fertilizers. Additionally, the burning of agricultural residues and the use of fungicides containing zinc can also be contributing factors to the presence of this metal [
60].
In the study conducted by Kujara et al. [
61], the levels of heavy metals in non-recirculated leachate collected at the Municipal Waste Deposit in the north of Porto Alegre, where waste of urban origin is deposited, were analyzed. The results revealed that the maximum and minimum levels of metals found were as follows: 0.01 to 0.015 mg/L for Cu; 0.01 to 0.3 mg/L for Cr and 0.07 to 20.5 mg/L for Mn. The concentrations of heavy metals reported in this study are similar to those detected in the present work.
It is important to highlight that the Mn concentration in the study by Kujara et al. [
61] exceeded the maximum limit allowed by Resolution no. 357/2005 [
49], values that were even higher than those observed in the present study, where only some samples presented Mn concentrations above the maximum limit allowed by the aforementioned resolution. The presence of manganese in municipal solid waste can occur due to several sources, including household items such as batteries, electronic products, paints and plastics, which may contain manganese in their compositions. When these products are discarded as municipal solid waste, manganese can be released into the environment.
In the study conducted by Oliveira & Jucá [
62], the maximum and minimum concentrations of metals were recorded in leachate samples collected at the Muribeca Solid Waste Landfill, in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco. The results revealed a range of 0.2 to 2.9 mg/L for Cu, < 0.01 to 3.5 mg/L for Cr and < 0.01 to 35 mg/L for Mn. When comparing these data with those obtained in the present research, it is noted that the leachate generated in the collection routes presents lower maximum concentrations for the metals Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn while the maximum concentration for the metal Fe is higher.
Celere et al. [
63] conducted research to examine the presence of metals in leachate from the Ribeirão Preto landfill, SP. They observed that, although the average manganese values were within the limits allowed by legislation, in 8.3% of the samples analyzed values were identified that exceeded the maximum allowed. According to the author, this metal is currently used in the manufacture of steel, batteries, matches and porcelain. The detection of high levels of this metal in the study may suggest the presence of these materials in the solid waste being deposited in the Dourado landfill.
Cort et al. [
64] conducted an assessment of the levels of cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, manganese, mercury and zinc in raw and treated leachate from landfills in Francisco Beltrão and Nova Esperança do Sudoeste, PR. The average values found for the metals chromium, cadmium, copper, manganese and mercury in the leachate samples were within the maximum limits established by CONAMA [
49]. However, the researchers noted that both manganese and lead presented values above those allowed only in the raw leachate from the two landfills evaluated. This finding contrasts with the results of this study, where high levels of these metals were observed both in the leachate during the initial phase of treatment (anaerobic lagoon I) and in the leachate collected in the last phase of treatment (maturation), during collections carried out in the months of October 2012 and February 2013.
Cintra [
65] evaluated the influence of recirculating raw leachate and inoculated leachate (pre-treated in a UASB reactor) on the anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste (MSW), and found values for Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn of 0.022, 0.022, 0.002, 0.026, 0.199, 0.134 and 0.178 mg/L, respectively.
3.1.2. Verification of Compliance with Legal Sanitary and Environmental Standards
The comparison of the results of metal analyzes of the solubilized extract of the organic fraction of collected urban solid waste was carried out considering the guidelines established by CONAMA Resolution nº 357/2005 [
49], CONAMA Resolution nº 430/2011 [
44] and CONAMA Resolution nº 396 /2008 [
43]. Reference values were evaluated for different metals, such as aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), boron (B), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe ), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg). The results obtained in the research for Region 1 were then compared with the limits established by these sanitary and environmental standards, as presented in
Table 3.
CONAMA Resolution No. 396/2008 [
43] deals with the classification, environmental guidelines and measures for the classification, prevention and control of groundwater pollution. According to this resolution, limits are established for the preponderant uses of water, such as human consumption, for the following inorganic parameters: Al (0.2 mg/L), As (0.01 mg/L), Ba (0. 7 mg/L), B (0.5 mg/L), Pb (0.01 mg/L), Cu (2 mg/L), Fe (0.3 mg/L), Mn (0.1 mg /L), Ni (0.02 mg/L), Na (200 mg/L) and Zn (5 mg/L).
CONAMA Resolution No. 430/2011 [
44] established the standards for releasing effluents from polluting sources into receiving bodies. This standard defines limits for several parameters and their limits, including AS (0.5 mg/L), Ba (5.0 mg/L), B (5.0 mg/L), Pb (0.5 mg/L ), Cu (1.0 mg/L), Cr (1.0 mg/L), Fe (15 mg/L), Mn (1.0 mg/L), Ni (2.0 mg/L), Zn (5.0 mg/L) and Mg (1.0 mg/L).
CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005 [
49] establishes water quality standards, determining the criteria for classification and, therefore, guiding the uses of the water resource at the sampling site. For this research, freshwater bodies classified as class II were considered, as defined in the resolution. Class II is adopted when the water course is unknown, following the guidelines of the resolution, which establishes a limit range for the release of effluents and parameters for inorganics for the following elements Al (0.1 mg/L), As ( 0.01 mg/L), Ba (0.7 mg/L), B (0.5 mg/L), Pb (0.01 mg/L), Cu (0.009 mg/L), Cr (0. 05 mg/L), Fe (0.3 mg/L), Mn (0.1 mg/L), Ni (0.025 mg/L) and Zn (0.18 mg/L).
After analysis and verification of compliance with Brazilian health and environmental legislation, it was found that the inorganic parameters (metals) investigated, such as iron, manganese and magnesium, did not comply with the standards established by CONAMA Resolution No. 430/2011 [
44]. In CONAMA Resolution 375/2005 [
49] , no inorganic parameter (metal) met the legal requirements. According to CONAMA Resolution 396/2008 [
43], the metals aluminum, barium, boron, lead, iron, manganese, nickel and sodium exceeded the limits established by legislation for region 1 (Table 11). Furthermore, some parameters were not addressed in the mentioned laws, and the limit values are defined in only one legal standard.
The results obtained for the solubilized extract of residues from region 2 revealed non-compliance with CONAMA Resolution nº 430/2011 [
44] for the parameters of iron, manganese, and magnesium. In relation to CONAMA Resolution 375/2005 [
49], only arsenic and barium were complying. Finally, according to CONAMA legislation 396/2008 [
43], the metals arsenic, barium, copper, and zinc were within the standards established for region 2. The detailed results can be consulted in
Table 4.
During the analysis of the solubilized extract of organic residues from region 3, non-compliance was found in the inorganic parameters (metals) for iron, manganese, and magnesium, as established by CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 [
44]. In relation to CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 [
49], none of the metals analyzed were complying. Finally, according to CONAMA 396/2008 [
43], only the metals copper and zinc were within the established limits. Complete details of the analysis can be found in
Table 5.
3.1.3. Pearson Correlation
The correlation between the 11 leachate variables was analyzed and is represented in
Figure 8.
The results from the selected R1, R2 and R3 regions indicate that the majority of parameters did not present a statistically significant correlation, suggesting a lack of association between several variables. However, a significant correlation was observed between chromium and boron, given that the correlation coefficient was equal to 1 (very strong) for a p-value lower than 0.001, which characterizes the correlation between the two variables. ble to be highly significant and with a probability of less than 0.1% chance that the observed correlation occurred by chance. Thus, there is sufficient evidence to state that boron and chromium concentrations are correlated.
Comparison between other elements resulted in a Pe-arson correlation coefficient above 0.9 (Cu and Al, Zn and Cu, B and Fe, Cr and Fe, and Mg and Ni) or below -0.9 ( Mn and Ba, Ni and Al, Mg and Al, Mn and Cu, Ni and Cu, Mg and Cu, Mn and Zn, Ni and Zn, Mg and Zn), suggesting a strong relationship between the variables. However, a p-value greater than 0.05 indicates that these observed correlations are not statistically significant at the usual 95% confidence level, that is, there is a probability greater than 5% that the observed correlation may have occurred due to chance. The results presented in Table 6 demonstrate that the metals Aluminum (Al), Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg) are more adequately represented by the first main component (PC1), while the metals Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe) and Sodium (Na) exhibit more expressive correlations in the second main component (PC2). The first principal component, PC1, represents 66.5% of the total variance. The first two principal components explain 100% of the variation in the data. Therefore, the PC1 and PC2 components are used to analyze the leachate parameters.
Table 5.
Principal Components Correlation Matrix.
Table 5.
Principal Components Correlation Matrix.
Variables |
PC1 |
PC2 |
Al |
-0.821 |
0.571 |
Ba |
-0.936 |
-0.353 |
B |
0.498 |
0.867 |
Cr |
0.498 |
0.867 |
Cu |
-0.979 |
0.205 |
Fe |
0.674 |
0.739 |
Mn |
0.980 |
0.199 |
Ni |
0.942 |
-0.336 |
Na |
0.466 |
-0.885 |
Zn |
-0.996 |
0.090 |
Mg |
0.895 |
-0.447 |
The biplot in Figure 9 shows the combined correlation between PC1 and PC2, showing that leachates from waste from regions R1, R2 and R3 have different characteristics. This suggests that the metal leaching process is characteristic for each region depending on the composition of solid waste. It is observed that the concentrations of aluminum, barium, copper and zinc increase in the direction of R1, while they decrease in the direction of R2 and R3. On the other hand, the concentrations of chromium, barium, iron and manganese increase towards R2, while the concentrations of sodium, nickel and magnesium increase towards R3.
Figure 8.
PCA results for the characterization of metals in leachate from the three regions.
Figure 8.
PCA results for the characterization of metals in leachate from the three regions.