Landfill Leachates and its Impact on Groundwater Quality in Delhi-NCR Region

IJEP 45(12): 1092-1101 : Vol. 45 Issue. 12 (December 2025)

Full Text

Anuja Sharma and Ranjana Goswami*

ITM University, Department of Applied Sciences, Gwalior – 474 001, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Contaminants in landfill runoff, such as organic pollutants and heavy metals, significantly threaten groundwater quality. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of physico-chemical factors to evaluate how leachate percolation affects groundwater pollution. The physico-chemical and heavy metal levels in groundwater near the Ghazipur and Bhalswa waste sites are analyzed. Parameters like pH, TDS, hardness, nitrate, ammoniacal nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand and heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu) were measured using ICP-MS, spectrophotometry and titration techniques from 15 bore wells and handpumps within a 2 km radius. Results show contamination levels surpassing BIS standards, with TDS (1200–3200 mg/L), NO3- (45–160 mg/L), COD (110–890 mg/L) and Pb (0.05–1.2 mg/L). Leachate analysis confirms even higher levels of organic and heavy metal pollution. These findings emphasize the urgent need for leachate containment, groundwater cleanup and stricter regulatory enforcement to prevent long-term environmental and public health problems. The study suggests bioremediation, advanced oxidation and adsorption as effective, eco-friendly solutions for groundwater treatment.

Keywords

Groundwater, Contamination, Landfill, Leachate, Reme-diation techniques

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