Solid waste management in Patna - analyses of ambient air and ground water pollution

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Patna is disposed of in an unscientific manner without considering environmental impacts. The wastes are dumped in the low-lying areas without compliance of the MSWM Rules, 2000. The dumped wastes are mixed with biomedical wastes making it hazardous. Ambient air quality and ground water were analysed at two dump sites to study the possible impacts of MSW. The physical and chemical characteristics, such as pH, temperature and others of ground water were studied. The ambient air quality in respect of [SO2], [NOX], [SPM], [H2S], [CH4] and [Dioxin] was analysed. The study revealed that the total alkalinity was higher at both sites; total hardness at Site 1 was beyond the permissible limit. In the ambient air [SO2], [NOX], [SPM], [H2S], [CH4] and [Dioxin] were much beyond the prescribed limit. This study revealed that air and ground water pollution were caused due to unscientific disposal of MSW.