Impact of Industrial Solid Waste on Soil Geotechnical Properties

In this study, the issue of industrial solid waste-contaminated soil and its consequences on various geotechnical parameters is examined. Soil health and geotechnical properties are affected by the global discharge of pollutants from chemical industries, including water, air, oil, and solids. Herein, the specific issue of soil contamination in Peshawar, Pakistan, is discussed. The goals of this study included examining variations in the Atterberg limits, direct shear strength, sieving analysis, consolidation behavior, and unconfined compression strength in contaminated soil samples. The process entailed analyzing soil samples taken from polluted sites in a laboratory. In contrast to uncontaminated soil, the results showed that contaminated soil deviated from the standard grading and exhibited lower liquid and plastic limits, higher moisture content, and lower specific gravity. Interestingly, the unconfined compression strength of the polluted soil was higher, indicating complicated interactions between the contaminants. Overall, this study highlights the need to understand and efficiently mitigate such human impacts by highlighting the extensive alterations in soil properties caused by industrial waste pollution.