SOME POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE LANDFILL ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

In cases of inadequate waste management, there is a tendency for inappropriate disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, especially when its production surpasses the capacities of official disposal sites. By disposing of C&D waste on the edge of the protected natural area during the spring of 2021, a C&D landfill was formed near Reva pond, Belgrade. In this work, the qualitative composition of C&D waste in the field was assessed, including chemical analysis of landfill soil which was investigated by comparing its elemental composition with the control soil by utilizing SEM-EDS analysis. The presence of various C&D waste components, typical (concrete blocks, bricks, armature, glass shards, wood, soil of various origin) and atypical (furniture, industrial-type glass shards, paint bottles and cans), indicated that waste disposal was only partially controlled. Due to the high heterogeneity of the disposed soil, analysis can neither confirm nor exclude the possibility of heavy metal contamination. Herbaceous plants are already naturally colonizing the landfill; also, the aggressively spreading, heavy metal accumulator, honey plant species - the False indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), is abundant in the area, and it is expected that it will recultivate the landfill site. To get a full assessment of the landfill's impact on local ecosystems, continuous monitoring is recommended.