Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract Background There is a challenge with employing dumpsites as waste disposal methods due to the formation of leachates. These leachates may include dangerous chemicals that may harm human health and the ecosystem. Despite the drawbacks of leachates, it contains precious minerals that can be r...

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Main Authors: Yasin Yohana Kifwe, Godlisten Namwel Shao, Christina Fabian Pius
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Bulletin of the National Research Centre
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-024-01292-1
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author Yasin Yohana Kifwe
Godlisten Namwel Shao
Christina Fabian Pius
author_facet Yasin Yohana Kifwe
Godlisten Namwel Shao
Christina Fabian Pius
author_sort Yasin Yohana Kifwe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background There is a challenge with employing dumpsites as waste disposal methods due to the formation of leachates. These leachates may include dangerous chemicals that may harm human health and the ecosystem. Despite the drawbacks of leachates, it contains precious minerals that can be retrieved and used to restore soil fertility for agricultural activities to contribute to the circular economy. Results The chemical composition of leachates from the Pugu dumpsite was assessed to explore their potential in agricultural application. Leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.98. The concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P were 960.80 ± 610.44 and 431.60 ± 209.65 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of minerals determined were Mg (33.73 ± 9.73), Na (485.70 ± 51.47), Ca (254.66 ± 6.04), and K (113.67 ± 8.53). The concentrations of heavy metals determined were Cd (0.03 ± 0.01), Cu (0.33 ± 0.09), Zn (0.32 ± 0.04), Cr (0.03 ± 0.01), Fe (2.63 ± 0.64), Ni (0.13 ± 0.03), and Pb (0.94 ± 0.06) mg/L. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ni in the leachates under study, with the exception of Pb, were within the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)-established allowable limits for wastewater from cities and industries. Conclusions The study evaluated the chemical composition of leachate from the Pugu dumpsite to explore its potential in agricultural applications. The results showed that the leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.88, with concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P exceeding the allowable limit for municipal and industrial wastewater effluents. Concentrations of minerals such as Mg, Na, Ca, and K were within limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) for city and industrial wastewater. However, the concentrations of PO4-P and NH4-N exceeded the permissible limit of TBS, which could have adverse effects on the ecosystem. The study proposes a subtle method to recover plant nutrients from leachate, thus contributing to the circular economy.
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spelling doaj-art-07e9a270f2a545caa1a2296184ed64682025-08-20T02:46:16ZengSpringerOpenBulletin of the National Research Centre2522-83072025-01-014911610.1186/s42269-024-01292-1Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaYasin Yohana Kifwe0Godlisten Namwel Shao1Christina Fabian Pius2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mkwawa University College of Education, University of Dar es SalaamDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mkwawa University College of Education, University of Dar es SalaamDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mkwawa University College of Education, University of Dar es SalaamAbstract Background There is a challenge with employing dumpsites as waste disposal methods due to the formation of leachates. These leachates may include dangerous chemicals that may harm human health and the ecosystem. Despite the drawbacks of leachates, it contains precious minerals that can be retrieved and used to restore soil fertility for agricultural activities to contribute to the circular economy. Results The chemical composition of leachates from the Pugu dumpsite was assessed to explore their potential in agricultural application. Leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.98. The concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P were 960.80 ± 610.44 and 431.60 ± 209.65 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of minerals determined were Mg (33.73 ± 9.73), Na (485.70 ± 51.47), Ca (254.66 ± 6.04), and K (113.67 ± 8.53). The concentrations of heavy metals determined were Cd (0.03 ± 0.01), Cu (0.33 ± 0.09), Zn (0.32 ± 0.04), Cr (0.03 ± 0.01), Fe (2.63 ± 0.64), Ni (0.13 ± 0.03), and Pb (0.94 ± 0.06) mg/L. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ni in the leachates under study, with the exception of Pb, were within the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)-established allowable limits for wastewater from cities and industries. Conclusions The study evaluated the chemical composition of leachate from the Pugu dumpsite to explore its potential in agricultural applications. The results showed that the leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.88, with concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P exceeding the allowable limit for municipal and industrial wastewater effluents. Concentrations of minerals such as Mg, Na, Ca, and K were within limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) for city and industrial wastewater. However, the concentrations of PO4-P and NH4-N exceeded the permissible limit of TBS, which could have adverse effects on the ecosystem. The study proposes a subtle method to recover plant nutrients from leachate, thus contributing to the circular economy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-024-01292-1LeachatesPugu dumpsitePlant nutrientsCircular economy
spellingShingle Yasin Yohana Kifwe
Godlisten Namwel Shao
Christina Fabian Pius
Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Bulletin of the National Research Centre
Leachates
Pugu dumpsite
Plant nutrients
Circular economy
title Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
title_full Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
title_fullStr Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
title_short Analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy: a case of Pugu dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
title_sort analysis of the potential of dumpsite leachates towards circular economy a case of pugu dumpsite in dar es salaam tanzania
topic Leachates
Pugu dumpsite
Plant nutrients
Circular economy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-024-01292-1
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AT christinafabianpius analysisofthepotentialofdumpsiteleachatestowardscirculareconomyacaseofpugudumpsiteindaressalaamtanzania