Background: Hexavalent chromium-containing waste from chromite ore processing is a major environmental health hazard due to its high toxicity. There have been instances of improper and unsafe disposal of this waste, leading to environmental health hazards.
Objectives: The objective of the present study was to identify the cause of yellow colored water discharge and reported health issues in nearby residents and cattle. In addition, it investigated the improper disposal of chromite ore processing residue (COPR), a hazardous waste, in an abandoned quarry in stromatolitic-limestone terrain in central-east India.
Methods: Standard methods of analysis of water and wastewater were used for the analyses of variables, including hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), pH, sulfate (SO4 2-), chlorine (Cl-), total hardness, calcium (Ca(II)), magnesium (Mg(II)), alkalinity and sodium (Na(I)) with proper sampling, quality assurance, and quality control protocols. Onsite Cr(VI) was analyzed using a chromium testing kit, and in the laboratory by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Results: Large-scale contamination of surface and groundwater was noted due to the migration of hexavalent chromium-contaminated yellow colored leachate. High levels of hexavalent chromium were noted in the samples. The maximum Cr(VI) concentration observed was 1050 mg/L in leachate, 22 mg/L in surface water and 0.26 mg/L in the groundwater sample. Acute health effects were noted in cattle and by residents who consumed the highly contaminated water.
Conclusions: A large volume of discharge of hexavalent chromium contamination from the COPR landfill was found, indicating the absence of containment features in the design (double high-density polyethylene liners, clay, leachate collection). Disposal of COPR in an abandoned limestone mine is inadvisable. The highly fractured stromatolitic-limestone environment at the study site was found to offer almost no resistance to the mobilization of Cr(VI) due to the absence of organic or eukaryotic deposition in the stromatolitic environment. It was also noted that the drainage pattern of the area facilitates a possible translocation of contaminated discharge to the nearby river system. Nearby residents were unaware of the adverse impacts of the contaminated leachates and were using the contaminated water for bathing, washing, etc. Applicable Indian governmental regulations regarding the construction of hazardous waste landfills were found to be insufficient with respect to the use of inactive limestone mines as landfill sites.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Keywords: hazardous waste; hexavalent chromium; landfill; leachate; solid waste; water pollution.
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