Vaibhav Srivastava1, Barkha Vaish1, Rajeev Pratap Singh2, Pooja Singh3. 1. Department of Environment and Sustainable Development, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India. 2. Department of Environment and Sustainable Development, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India. rps.iesd@bhu.ac.in. 3. Department of Science, Institute of Computer Science and Technology, SHEPA, Varanasi, India.
Abstract
Varanasi, India's historic cultural capital, struggles with efficient waste management practices. This impacts environment and human well-being in terms of waste generation that is estimated around 550-650 TPD with a generation rate of 0.42 kg capita-1 day-1 (n = 117). The present study aims to explore and characterize wastes, current practices, ecological profiling, and phytotoxicity of an abandoned open dumping site, and vermicomposting of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as sustainable waste management approach. Compositional analysis of waste indicates organic fraction (46.13%) as a major component along with a considerable amount of heavy metals. The calorific value and moisture content of municipal solid waste (MSW) was 2351.4 cal g-1 and 34.72%, respectively. Ecological profiling of the dumping site revealed that floral diversity and ecological species/indicators were negatively affected. Likewise, phytotoxicity results displayed a negative impact on germination and physiology of maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown on dumping site soil. Vermistabilization of OFMSW showed a significant increase in N (56.10-89.48%), P (33.93-82.87%), and K (25.55-50.42%) and a decrease in total organic carbon (15.15-24.81%). Similarly, C/N and C/P ratios decreased by 1.89-2.51 and 1.72-2.18 folds, respectively. A survey of stakeholders suggested that open dumping was the main practice adopted by Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) during 2013-2015. Recently (2017-2018), VMC adopted different methods, such as door-to-door collection and source segregation for effective waste management. Waste characteristics and nutrient profile of the vermicompost explains that vermicomposting could be used for efficient waste management in Varanasi, further reducing the collection, transportation, and disposal costs of waste, which enables to close the loop and move towards a circular economy. Moreover, implications of existing waste management practices and possible management options need to be addressed scientifically. Therefore, this research outcome will help in designing a successful waste management plan for Varanasi and other cities with similar waste characteristics.
Varanasi, India's historiccultural capital, struggles with efficient waste management practices. This impacts environment and pan class="Species">human well-being in terms of waste generation that is estimated around 550-650 TPD with a generation rate of 0.42 kg caclass="Chemical">pita-1 day-1 (n = 117). The class="Chemical">present study aims to exclass="Chemical">plore and characterize wastes, current class="Chemical">practices, ecological class="Chemical">profiling, and class="Chemical">phytotoxicity of an abandoned oclass="Chemical">pen dumclass="Chemical">ping site, and vermicomclass="Chemical">posting of organic fraction of municiclass="Chemical">pal solid waste (OFMSW) as sustainable waste management aclass="Chemical">pclass="Chemical">proach. Comclass="Chemical">positional analysis of waste indicates organic fraction (46.13%) as a major comclass="Chemical">ponent along with a considerable amount of heavy metals. The calorific value and moisture content of municiclass="Chemical">pal solid waste (MSW) was 2351.4 cal g-1 and 34.72%, resclass="Chemical">pectively. Ecological class="Chemical">profiling of the dumclass="Chemical">ping site revealed that floral diversity and ecological sclass="Chemical">pecies/indicators were negatively affected. Likewise, class="Chemical">phytotoxicity results disclass="Chemical">played a negative imclass="Chemical">pact on germination and class="Chemical">physiology of class="Chemical">pan class="Species">maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown on dumping site soil. Vermistabilization of OFMSW showed a significant increase in N (56.10-89.48%), P (33.93-82.87%), and K (25.55-50.42%) and a decrease in total organic carbon (15.15-24.81%). Similarly, C/N and C/P ratios decreased by 1.89-2.51 and 1.72-2.18 folds, respectively. A survey of stakeholders suggested that open dumping was the main practice adopted by Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) during 2013-2015. Recently (2017-2018), VMC adopted different methods, such as door-to-door collection and source segregation for effective waste management. Waste characteristics and nutrient profile of the vermicompost explains that vermicomposting could be used for efficient waste management in Varanasi, further reducing the collection, transportation, and disposal costs of waste, which enables to close the loop and move towards a circular economy. Moreover, implications of existing waste management practices and possible management options need to be addressed scientifically. Therefore, this research outcome will help in designing a successful waste management plan for Varanasi and other cities with similar waste characteristics.
Authors: Mohan B Dangi; Christopher R Pretz; Michael A Urynowicz; Kenneth G Gerow; J M Reddy Journal: J Environ Manage Date: 2010-09-29 Impact factor: 6.789