Evaluation of landfill pollution with special emphasis on heavy metals

Monitoring leachate, groundwater and surface water aiming to determinate the concentration of heavy metals (Hg, Zn, Ni, Cr⁺⁶,Cd, Pb) at the municipal solid waste landfill Štěpánovice took place in the years 2002–2010. The values of heavy metals concentration oscillated as follows: Zn (0.05 – 0.37 μg/ dm³), Cr⁺⁶ (0.01 – 3.3 μg/dm³), Hg (0.0001 – 0.001 (μg/ dm³), Ni (0.001 – 0.19 μg/ dm³, Cd (0.001 – 0.007 μg/ dm³) and Pb (0.002 – 0.176 μg/dm3). The measured data show that the concentrations of heavy metals met the limits provided by law. Under the current landfill operation mode, the results of measurements do not indicate any negative impact on the quality of surface water, groundwater or leachate water.