IMPACTS
OF OPEN DUMPSITE LEACHATE ON SOIL ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY IN KANI-QRZHALA OPEN
DUMPSITE – ERBIL CITY
Suzan
B. Ismail a*, Dalshad A. Darwesh a
*Dept.
Of Environmental Science and Health, College of Science, University of Slahaddin, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
suzanbapeer341@gmail.com, dalshas.darwesh@su.edu.krd
Received: 12
Nov., 2022 /
Accepted: 23 Jan.., 2023 / Published: 28 May, 2023 https://doi.org/10.25271/sjuoz.2023.11.2.1059
ABSTRACT:
The study was carried out to assess the effect of open dump site
leachate on soil enzymes activity. Soil samples were collected in Kani-Qrzhala open dump site in Erbil city in four sites (Site1,
Site2, Site3 and Site4) for different depths; surface ,30cm,60cm and 90 cm
following the edge drainage pathway of leachate. The results of dehydrogenase,
urease and catalase show a significant variation at significant levels (P⩽0.01) and (P⩽0.05) respectively. The
highest rates of dehydrogenase, urease and catalase (77.69 µg TPF.g-1,
454.50 µg N.g-1, and 1.927µg H2O2.g-1),
were recorded at surface point in all sites, while the lowest rates of all
enzymes were recorded at 90 cm respectively, this is indicating that the soil
depth adversely affected enzymes activity. Using oak tree wood and walnut shell
biochar by 10% as a treatment to polluted soil, significantly increased enzymes
activity. Walnut shell biochar was more suitable than oak tree wood biochar to
catalase and urease activity, where urease was increased by 133.61% and
catalase by 63.40%, while dehydrogenase activity was increased by 95.07% after
using oak tree wood biochar which was more suitable than walnut shell biochar.
This was related to the feedstock and technology production of biochar that
affected on biochar structure and activity, however in this study, biochar
application generally had a positive effect on enzymes activity and soil depth
had an adverse effect.
KEYWORDS: Soil enzyme, Biochar, Open dumped,
Leachate, Soil depth.
1.
INTRODUCTION
The wide generation of solid waste is one of the most significant
effects of urbanization, industrialization, and population development. Solid
waste discarding is one of the most serious environmental hazards in the world.(Agamuthu, 2007). Landfill
leachate from (MAW) municipal solid waste disposal in landfill sites are
usually identified as hazardous and strongly contaminated waste waters. Landfill leachate is formed of liquid which
has come into the landfill coming from external sources, like surface drainage,
rainwater, underground water, and water from underground springs, and also the
liquid produced by waste decomposition, and it has percolated through the solid
waste, extracting both dissolved and suspended components. Leachate is a highly
polluted wastewater that exhibits considerable time and spatial variation in
physical-chemical characteristics. It is also a potential source of polluting
of ground, surface water and soil.Tatsi, Zouboulis, Matis, and Samaras (2003)
Biochar is a porous, carbonaceous substance produced by the
thermochemical (for example; gasification pyrolysis,) and hydrothermal
decomposition of organic compounds in the absence of oxygen at high
temperature. This method is identical to how charcoal is made. Biochar is going
to gain wide acceptance as a soil amendment because it not only mitigates
climate alteration by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere into soil, but it
also enhances properties of soil and soil fertility by improving microorganism’s
activity and moisture and nutrient content, while also increasing agricultural
productivity.(Sajjad et al., 2020). Soil enzymes
are essential in a variety of biochemical activities in soils, including the
degradation of soil organic matters (SOM) plus other biogeochemical nutrient
cycling. So those enzymes are identifying as sensing indicator elements of
changes in soil functioning and have a direct relation with soil organic matter
forms and also soil quality. Cellobiosidase is the
enzyme which breaks down cellulose. Soil quality and also microbial respiration
are influenced by dehydrogenase activity. Catalase is an enzyme that is
produced by every aerobic microorganism, as well as plants and animal’s cells.
The large surface area of the biochar helps in the adsorption of labile substrates,
which has an impact on soil enzymatic activity. Biochar's influence on soil
enzymes activity is primarily determined by interrelationship of enzyme and
substrate with biochar. The absorption of substrates as well as extracellular
enzymes mostly to the functional groups at the surface of biochar probably
enhance or inhibit enzymatic reactions.(Lammirato, Miltner, & Kaestner, 2011) .Soil enzymes
activity is strongly related to improvements in soil quality, which can be used
as a good indicator to sustainable soil organization and also environmental
safety and stability. Across of all soil quality index, enzymes refer quickly
to alterations in soil management and thus remain the best indicator of soil
biological potential change.(Bandick & Dick, 1999). Solid waste,
especially Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), is a major problem in the Kurdistan region's
cities particularly in Erbil city, because the landfills are just dumping
grounds for mixed MSW without any environmental management. Thus, the aim of
this study is to determine the impact of landfill leachate on soil quality
specially on soil enzymatic activity as well as to determine the effects of
biochar on soil nutrients and ratio of enzymatic activity by using two
different types of biochar as a treatment.
2. MATERIAL
AND METHOD
2.1.
The properties of sampling site
Erbil landfill location is in Erbil City, Iraq, next to the Kani-Qrzhala Sub-district (as from left side of the Erbil-Mosul
road). The latitude and longitude are 36°10'23"N as well as
43°35'32"E. ELS is about 15 kilometers from Erbil's city center. The
landfill, that opened in 2001, includes a total area of 37 hectares. Most of
the land area has been utilized. More than 1000 tons of Municipal solid wastes
are transported to the site every day. The components of the buried MSW are not
separated properly. In Erbil City, there are very few current, recognized
documents about MSW characteristics.
2.2.
Sample collection and analysis
Soil samples
were collected follow the edge drainage pathway of leachate from the landfill
site in Erbil city during September. Soil samples were collected from four
different sites (site 1, site 2, site 3, and site 4) at surface, 30 cm 60cm,
and 90 cm in Erbil city. Soil samples were air dried for 24 to 48 hours, then
crushed by woody tool and sieved by 2mm sieve in laboratory.
2.3.
Analysis of soil enzymes activity
Dehydrogenase was determined following methods as mentioned by (Casida Jr, Klein, & Santoro, 1964).The soil samples were treated with 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chlorides (TTC) then incubated at (25
˚C) then the absorbance of
dehydrogenase activity was read by spectrophotometrically at 485 nm The
value of dehydrogenase activity was expressed as µg TPFg
̄ˡ dry weight soil. Urease was determined by treating one gram of
soil samples with 0.25
ml toluene, 0.75 ml citrate buffer (pH,6.7) and 1 ml of 10% urea substrate
solution then incubated for 3 hours at
37 ̊C. The formation of ammonia was read by sectrophotomerically
at 640 nm(Hoffmann & Teicher, 1961). The result
was shown in µg N g ̄ˡ dry soil. Catalase activity was determined by KMnO4 titration method),
one gram of soil sample was added to 5 ml of distilled water with 1 ml of %30 H2O2
solution, then shaken the solution 30 minutes and then added 5 ml of 1.5M
of sulfuric acid. After that the solution was filtered and titrated by using (0.05M
KMnO4). The result was indicated in µmoll of H2O2
per gram soil per hour. (Wang & Zhan, 2009) and (Li, Liang, He, Hu, & Yu, 2014).
2.4.
Biochar treatment
The polluted soil samples by leachate were remediated by using
walnut shell biochar and Oak tree biochar. Oak biochar was produced by oak
wood. Walnut shell biochar was produced by collecting the shells of walnut and
sundried for 24 hours then crushed the shells. Biochar was produced in lablotary under limited oxygen in covered crucibles in an
incinerator heating for 3 hours at 400 ̊C-600 ̊C,(Igalavithana et al., 2017),(Zahed, Salehi, Madadi, & Hejabi, 2021).Biochar was
mixed well with soil by 10% biochar, and incubated samples for four weeks at 25
̊C.(X. Zhang et al., 2013).
2.5.
Calculation of percentage and enzymes activity rate:
1.The
increasing percentage rate of enzymes activity after treatment was estimated by
using this equation:
Percent increase= [(new value – original
value)/original value] *100
2. Calculation
of catalase activity rate = [(KMnO4 ml) *(N)*(0.071) *(1000)]/grams
of samples used
*Were N:( Normality of the standardized
potassium permanganate)
3.
Calculation of dehydrogenase activity(DHA) = (TPF(concentration)*V)/Wt.
V= the volume of solution added to the soil
sample, Wt.= the weight of your sample used
2.6.
Statistical analysis
The SPSS software application (version 25), was used to conduct the
statistical analysis of the data. The design of experimental was ANOVA with three replications. Duncan multiple range was used to compare sites,
depths and treatments. The significant level was set at p<0.01, and
p<0.05.(H. L. Harter, 1960)
2.
RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION
Data indicated in Table (1) show the effect of landfill leachate on
soil enzymes activity (dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1, catalase µg H2O2.g-1
and urease µg N.g-1) at four different sites (site 1, site2, site3,
and site4) in Kani-Qrzhala landfill area Erbil city.
The results of dehydrogenase and urease indicated significant variation at (P⩽0.01), While the results of catalase activity showed significant
variation at (P⩽0.05), wherears no significant differences were shown in the
results between Site 1 and Site 2. The maximum value 64.04 µg TPF.g-1,393.82
µg N.g-1 of dehydrogenase and urease were recorded at site4, while the
catalase maximum value was 1.828 µg H2O2.g-1)
at site2. The minimum values 45.57 µg TPF.g-1, 1.401 µg H2O2.g-1,
of dehydrogenase and catalase were recorded at site3 and minimum value of
urease was 245.93 µg N.g-1 at site2. This variation among sites of
dehydrogenases, urease and catalase concentration and the activity rate may be
due to the amount, period of time, leachate components absorbed by the soil.
According to many studies sometimes maybe the landfill leachate enhance soil
enzymes activity which related to the activity of microorganisms , these
results are agreement with those reported by
Shailaja, Srinivas, and Rao (2021). However,
maybe leachate consists many harmful substances such as heavy metals inorganic
materials which have adverse effects on soil property and damage to planting.
The results indicated in table (1 and 2) show that the leachate had not adverse
effects on soil enzymes activity.
Table .1 The means of soil enzymes activity of different sites
Sites |
Dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1 |
Urease µg N.g-1 |
Catalase µg H2O2.g-1 |
Site 1 |
47.54c |
273.68c |
1.766a |
Site 2 |
55.42b |
245.93d |
1.828a |
Site 3 |
45.57d |
354.35b |
1.401c |
Site 4 |
64.04a |
393.82a |
1.559b |
Table (2) shows the effect of soil depth on soil enzymes activity,
in which the depths adversely affected enzymes activity.
The results show that the enzymes activity decreased with increasing soil
depth. The higher rate of dehydrogenase, urease and catalase activity were 77.69
µg TPF.g-1, 454.50 µg N.g-1 and 1.927 µg H2O2.g-1
observed at surface, while the lowest activity rate of them recorded at 90 cm
about 31.60 µg TPF.g-1, 180.08 µg N.g-1 and 1.32 µg H2O2.g-1).
These results may be due to activity of microorganisms and oxygen content which
decrease with the soil depth and may be due to the organic matter content. The
same result was obtained by Avazpoor et al. (2019). The Leachate
drainage or absorption of leachate in soil may decrease with increasing soil
depths that is also may be one of the effects of decreasing soil enzymes
activity, because leachate contains some organic materials and microorganisms
which generally enhance the enzymes activity.
Table.2 Effect of soil depth on enzymes activity
Depth |
Dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1 |
Urease µg N.g-1 |
Catalase µg H2O2.g-1 |
Surface |
77.69a |
454.50a |
1.927a |
30 cm |
60.23b |
378.64b |
1.788b |
60 cm |
42.95c |
248.56c |
1.513c |
90 cm |
31.60d |
186.08d |
1.326d |
The results in Table (3) shows that the application of biochar
significantly affected the soil enzymes activity. Dehydrogenase activity
increased after applying walnut shell biochar (T1) and oak tree wood
biochar(T2), by 85.65% and 95.07% for T1 and T2 respectively.
These results indicated that the T2 (oak tree wood biochar) was more
effective on dehydrogenase activity. These results are similar to those obtained by L. Zhang, Xiang, Jing, and Zhang (2019) and Beheshti, Etesami, and Alikhani (2018) were reported
that the application of biochar
increased microbial biomass and
intracellular which is due to improvement dehydrogenase activity. Urease
activity increased by133.61% after using walnut shell biochar and 99.40% after
using oak tree wood biochar. The main factor affected urease activity was N
cycle ,which is the important to this enzymes activity, this is reported by J. Harter et al. (2014).Catalase
activity increased by 63.40% after using walnut shell biochar and 45.13% after
using Oak tree wood biochar respectively. According to Tabatabai (1994) indicated that
biochar amendment greatly assisted to increase soil microbe oxidative capacity
here because microbes oxidative-reductase metabolic is driven by catalase
activity and is connected to the metabolism activity of aerobic soil
microorganisms. Oladele (2019) reported that the biochar application due to involvingP,N,C cycling which manage the dynamics and fluxes
of soil nutrients and improve the enzymes activity in soil.
Table.3 Effect of biochar on soil enzymes activity
Treatment |
Dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1 |
Urease µg N.g-1 |
Catalase µg H2O2.g-1 |
T0 |
33.51c |
178.39c |
1.203c |
T1 |
60.55b |
416.74a |
1.964a |
T2 |
65.37a |
355.71b |
1.746b |
Note:
control (T0), walnut shell biochar(T1), Oak tree wood biochar(T2)].
Data
stated in Table (4) show the effect of biochar on soil enzymes (dehydrogenase,
urease, and catalase) activity, at four different sites in Kani-Qrzhala landfill area Erbil City. The highest activity rate
(42.50 µg TPF.g-1, 278.35 µg N.g-1) of
dehydrogenase and urease activity was recorded at site 4 that received Oak tree
wood biochar and walnut
shell biochar respectively, while catalase highest rate (1.378 µg H2O2.g-1)
was at Site1 which was treated by walnut shell biochar(T1).
The biochar application had significant effects on enzymes activity at four
sites. Dehydrogenase activity increased more by T2 than T1 for all
sites except site (1) T1 was more effective than T2. This is may be due to the soil property
,biochar component, moisture, temperature, aeration rate, which reported by Zheng et al. (2018),and Wojewódzki, Lemanowicz, Debska, and Haddad (2022). Urease and catalase result
indicated that the T1 biochar was more effective than T2
on their activity at all sites except for urease activity at Site 3 which increased
more by T2 and catalase activity at site 2 increased more by T2.
This is may be due to many physical and
chemical prosperities of soil and biochar which positively or negatively
affected on enzymes activity.Zahed et al. (2021) reported that biochar quality
and their activity to remediation affected by some factors such as the
feedstock property, pyrolysis temperature during biochar production, which
affected the composition structure of biochar. pyrolysis temperature it’s the
main factor to changing biochar characteristics.
Data in Table (5) describe the effect of biochar on enzymatic
activity at different soil depths. The results showed that both of biochars (T1 and T2) had a positive
effect on soil enzymes activity, which significantly improved soil enzymes
activity at all deep points of soil (surface,
30 cm, 60 cm, and 90cm). This indicates that the biochar
application increases the enzymatic activity at all soil depth. This increase
of enzyme activity at all soil depth may be related to the increase of the soil
organic matter which directly supply the nutrients and energy for soil
organisms. Increasing of soil enzymes activity beneficial to bioremdiation of pollutant in soil this agreement with the
results obtained by Sebiomo, Banjo, Ade-Ogunnowo, and Fagbemi (2017) investigated
in their study that dehydrogenase and urease enzymes could be used as soil
indicator and could help in bioremediation of contaminated soil
. Table.4
Effect of biochar on enzymes activity at different site
Sites |
Treatment |
Dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1 |
Urease µg N.g-1 |
Catalase µg H2O2.g-1 |
Site 1 |
T0 |
25.38c |
142.85ef |
1.321e |
|
T1 |
60.08ab |
376.30abc |
2.358a |
|
T2 |
57.17ab |
301.91bcd |
1.620cde |
Site 2 |
T0 |
38.41bc |
95.41f |
1.378ce |
|
T1 |
58.02ab |
389.50abc |
1.865bc |
|
T2 |
69.84a |
252.90cde |
2.240ab |
Site 3 |
T0 |
27.75c |
196.96def |
0.887f |
|
T1 |
49.57abc |
408.00ab |
1.780cd |
|
T2 |
59.38ab |
458.10a |
1.537cde |
Site 4 |
T0 |
42.50bc |
278.35d-e |
1.225ef |
|
T1 |
74.54a |
493.16a |
1.854bc |
|
T2 |
75.08a |
409.96ab |
1.598cde |
Note: control
(T0), walnut shell biochar(T1), Oak tree wood biochar(T2)].
Table.5
Effect of biochar on enzyme activity at different soil depths
Depth |
Treatment |
Dehydrogenase µg TPF.g-1 |
Urease µg N.g-1 |
Catalase |
Surface |
T0 |
54.38c |
271.55cd |
1.517c |
|
T1 |
85.82a |
557.80a |
2.257a |
|
T2 |
92.88a |
534.16ab |
2.007ab |
30 cm |
T0 |
39.08de |
198.96de |
1.508c |
|
T1 |
71.29b |
497.50ab |
2.075ab |
|
T2 |
70.60b |
439.46b |
1.780bc |
60 cm |
T0 |
22.54f |
134.13e |
1.004d |
|
T1 |
53.09cd |
341.33c |
1.769bc |
|
T2 |
53.24cd |
270.23cd |
1.767bc |
90 cm |
T0 |
18.05f |
108.93e |
0.782d |
|
T1 |
32.00ef |
270.33de |
1.757bc |
|
T2 |
44.75cde |
179.00de |
1.440c |
Note:
control (T0), walnut shell biochar(T1), Oak tree wood biochar(T2)]
4. CONCLUSION
The
study was generally focused on the impact of landfill leachate, soil depths,
and biochar on soil enzymes activity. The results show that the leachate had not
negative impacts on soil enzymes activity because the leachate contains many
organic or nutrient substance and microorganisms which enhance the activity of
soil enzymes. Soil depth adversely affected enzymes
activity, activity was decreased with increasing soil depths related to
available nutrients, microorganism, moisture, aeration rate in soil layers. In
this study used two types of biochar at the same concentration, oak tree wood
and walnut shell biochar to determine effect of biochar on enzymes activity.
Urease and catalase activity increased more by walnut shell biochar than the
oak tree wood biochar, however dehydrogenase activity increased more after
using oak tree wood biochar than the walnut shell. The results indicated that biochars application had a positive effect on enzymes
activity.
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