Potential impact of two landfills on the near vicinity with the use of bioindicators

The research deals in complex with the issue of landfilling and with a pos-sible use of biological indicators to assess the impact of landfill on its surroundings. The problem is topical as landfilling remains the most spread technology for the disposal of communal waste in the Czech Republic.Assessing the impact of the landfill on its environs, we based our study on the selected bioindicators present in 1995 and in 2007 - 2010. During the period of vegetation biomonitoring, we did not detect any significant impact of the landfills on the biotic composition of the environment and no symptoms of leaf area chlorosis or necrosis that would have indicated the direct impact of sanitary landfills operation on the locality. The Štěpánovice landfill and Kuchyňky landfill have a functional system of drains combined with the system of ground sealing and the system of seepage water drainage pits. It further has a sophisticated system to check fencing, fly-offs and to collect lightweight waste. Both landfills are constructed and operated in compliance with the most modern and strictest requirements and standards. ...

ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN WILLOW SHOOTS (Salix viminalis L.) CULTIVATED IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF A COAL ASH AND SLAG LANDFILL

The aim of the study was to evaluate the contents of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in shoots of willow (Salix viminalis L.) cultivated in the vicinity of a coal ash and slag landfill. The landfill is surrounded by arable lands and meadows. There are two major negative influences of the landfill - dusting and flooding. The result of these interactions is the systematic reduction of agricultural value of the land. A field with an area of 9600 m2 were chosen. The land is located east to the landfill. A total of 40 samples of biomass was collected. The contents of analysed elements were determined by FAAS using a Unicam Solaar M6 spectrometer. Distance from the landfill affects the contents of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in the tested willow shoots. However, there is no single concentration pattern for all the investigated metals. An increase in willow cultivation on the described area can bring a good environmental effect and become an example of proper management of the ash and slag landfill neighbourhood. ...