Characterization of Leachate and Leachate Pollution Index from Dumping Sites in Lahore, Pakistan

In Lahore solid waste is not managed properly and efficiently in terms of collection, transportation and dumping which has resulted in unsanitary conditions. The study was aimed at assessing the characteristics of municipal solid waste leachate and its contamination potential. The characteristics of leachate were analyzed and contamination potential was estimated through Leachate Pollution Index. Saggian (SG) and Mehmood Booti (MB) dumping sites had alkaline pH whereas Baggrian (BG) dumping site had acidic pH. All the three dumping sites had very low dissolved oxygen. Leachate at BG had highest turbidity, TSS, TDS, BOD5, COD, SO4 -2, NO3 -1 and Cl- followed by MB and SG dumping sites. Significantly (P < 0.05) high amount of turbidity, TSS, TDS, BOD5,COD were present during summer season as compared to winters at all the three dumping sites in Lahore. At SG, MB and BG dumping site, pH, BOD5, COD, PO4 -3, NO3 -1 and Cl- during both winter and summer season were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than FEPA standard. The Leachate Pollution Index at SG dumping site was 13.7, at MB was 16.7 and at BG was 21.7. The leachate from the BG dumping site had the highest contamination potential followed by MB and SG dumping site.