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Gautam K, Pandey N, Yadav D, Parthasarathi R, Turner A, Anbumani S, Jha AN. Ecotoxicological impacts of landfill sites: Towards risk assessment, mitigation policies and the role of artificial intelligence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171804. [PMID: 38513865 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Waste disposal in landfills remains a global concern. Despite technological developments, landfill leachate poses a hazard to ecosystems and human health since it acts as a secondary reservoir for legacy and emerging pollutants. This study provides a systematic and scientometric review of the nature and toxicity of pollutants generated by landfills and means of assessing their potential risks. Regarding human health, unregulated waste disposal and pathogens in leachate are the leading causes of diseases reported in local populations. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches have been employed in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of landfill leachate, with model organisms ranging from bacteria to birds. These studies demonstrate a wide range of toxic effects that reflect the complex composition of leachate and geographical variations in climate, resource availability and management practices. Based on bioassay (and other) evidence, categories of persistent chemicals of most concern include brominated flame retardants, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and alkyl phenol ethoxylates. However, the emerging and more general literature on microplastic toxicity suggests that these particles might also be problematic in leachate. Various mitigation strategies have been identified, with most focussing on improving landfill design or leachate treatment, developing alternative disposal methods and reducing waste volume through recycling or using more sustainable materials. The success of these efforts will rely on policies and practices and their enforcement, which is seen as a particular challenge in developing nations and at the international (and transboundary) level. Artificial intelligence and machine learning afford a wide range of options for evaluating and reducing the risks associated with leachates and gaseous emissions from landfills, and various approaches tested or having potential are discussed. However, addressing the limitations in data collection, model accuracy, real-time monitoring and our understanding of environmental impacts will be critical for realising this potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Gautam
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Namrata Pandey
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dhvani Yadav
- Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Sadasivam Anbumani
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Awadhesh N Jha
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
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Fernandes Sales Junior S, Oliveira Souza Soares L, Pinheiro Cunha D, Ernesto Taveira Parente C, Ferreira Mannarino C, Veríssimo Correia F, Mendes Saggioro E. Biomarker response index in earthworms following chronic exposure to leachate from a closed dumpsite: Behavioral, cytotoxicity and antioxidant system alterations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119990. [PMID: 38183952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Leachate, an effluent produced during solid waste decomposition, interacts directly with soil, mainly in dumpsite areas. Studies on terrestrial animal exposure to leachate are, however, lacking. Plants are the most frequently studied organisms, while animal studies, especially earthworms, are limited. Nevertheless, ecotoxicological assessments involving earthworms are crucial due to their role in soil health and ecosystem maintenance, which are paramount in understanding potential terrestrial ecosystem leachate effects. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate behavioral effects, sublethal cytotoxicity and antioxidant system alterations in Eisenia andrei earthworms chronically exposed to leachate from a closed dumpsite. Cytotoxicity was determined by coelomocyte density, viability and cell typing, while antioxidant system alterations were assessed through superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and metallothionein (MT) determinations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonylation (PTC) levels were also determined as oxidative effect markers. Finally, the Biomarker Response Index (BRI) was assessed, aiming to quantitatively integrate the results of the investigated endpoints and establish a biological health state (BHS) for each leachate concentration. Leachate exposure led to leak responses at concentrations of up to 50%, but attraction at higher concentrations. Decreased cell density (28%) was observed after 48 days and reduced viability (50%), after 14 days of leachate exposure. The observed cell typing changes indicate anti-inflammatory immune system effects. Leachate exposure led to several antioxidant system alterations, increasing SOD (2-6 %), CAT (5-35 %) and GST (5-70 %) activities and GSH (7-37%) and MT (3-67%) levels. Earthworm antioxidant defenses were, however, able to prevent lipid peroxidation, which decreased (11-37%) following leachate exposure to concentrations above 12.5%, and PTC, which increased at 42 days (26%) and reduced at 56 days (12 %). This is the first PTC assessment in leachate-exposed earthworms. The increased carbonylation levels observed after 42 days alongside MDA decreases highlight the need for further research employing oxidative effect biomarkers other than MDA. Finally, an integrated approach employing the BRI was carried out, revealing mild initial changes evolving to moderate to major effects at the highest leachate exposure concentration, with an effect attenuation detected at the end of the experiment. In this sense, this study brings forth a significant novelty, employing a biomarker previously not assessed in earthworms, demonstrating an oxidative effect, alongside the use of the BRI as an integrative tool for the endpoints applied in this assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidney Fernandes Sales Junior
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lorena Oliveira Souza Soares
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Davi Pinheiro Cunha
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Ernesto Taveira Parente
- Laboratório de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Camille Ferreira Mannarino
- Laboratório de Virologia Comparada e Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio Veríssimo Correia
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biodiversidade Neotropical), Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Pasteur 458, 22290-20, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Pasteur, 458, 22290-20, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Enrico Mendes Saggioro
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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