Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Land and Water Bodies Surrounding Major Dumpsites in Kolkata

In this paper we have investigated the data acquired from the analysis of the soil and water samples from and around the dump sites in Kolkata and North 24 Paragana district of West Bengal where the population density is extremely high. The treatment of disposal of municipal solid wastes and waste water has been inadequate to negligible in these areas and as a result the quality of soil and water bodies is subject to deterioration. We have made use of GPS enabled Satellite acquired images and its associated softwares to identify and demarcate the areas that come under the direct impact of the dumping sites, and which ultimately are the areas prone to diseases and degradation in the coming years. The pH, salinity, Total Dissolved Solvents and oxidation reduction potential has been investigated for the basic characterization of the samples. An estimate of heavy metals has also been made. Estimation of salts and oxides from the various sediments and soil samples were acquired. Identification of bacteria, under the purview of biological studies and the dependence of their growth on physiochemical parameters of the surrounding has portrayed an alarming result. Adjacent to these areas there are agricultural fields where leached water from the dumping site directly drain into and cause biomagnifications. Contamination of the ground water is also sizable. This research will help to control pollution and biological outbreaks as well as suggest areas where immediate care should be taken to set up environmental restoration. The findings of the paper will further enlighten the planning and designing of waste disposal in urban areas and assist in its policy making in urban areas and thereby improve the quality of life of the scavengers who are left to equate their survival with the garbage mounds.