Diffusion of Municipal Waste Pollutants in Electrokinetic Lead Remediated Compacted Lateritic Soil

Abstract

This study investigates the spread of pollutants from municipal waste into the surrounding environment that could lead to environmental contamination, human health impacts, ecological damage, and economic consequences. Electrokinetically remediated lead-contaminated lateritic soil and leachate collected from an old Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) dumpsite were used in the diffusion test to investigate the movement of certain inorganic species through the soil. The British Heavy (BSH) compactive effort was used to compact the diffusion setup, maintaining a 2% water content optimum. Water saturated the apparatus for thirty days, followed by the introduction of MSW leachate for an additional sixty days. The diffusion results indicate that in the natural soil the diffusion coefficients for Pb2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, SO42-, and Cl- were 1.09E-09, 2.16E-09, 2.17E-10, 6.43E-09, and 8.26E-10 m2/s, respectively. In the remediated soil the diffusion coefficients for Ca2+, Mn2+, and Cl- decreased to 1.95E-09, 2.62E-09, and 1.144-07 m2/s, respectively, whereas the diffusion coefficients of Pb2+ and SO42- increase to 2.11E-09 and 1.14E-07 m2/s, which could be due to the high concentration of this species in the leachate, and probably longer remediation time is required. Diffusion of pollutants is essential for addressing environmental challenges, protecting public health, and promoting sustainable development for present and future generations.