2014, Masi - Avaliação do possível reaproveitamento de RSU provenientes de mineração em aterros de antigos lixões a céu aberto (1)

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Waste Management
ÿ
Content lists available at ScienceDirect
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wasman
as the construction of barrier layers of landfills, or in environmental remediation activities. Attention is
We propose a protocol of analysis of the landfill material that links chemical analyzes and environmental
mainly focused on the presence of heavy metals and on the possible interaction with test organisms.
2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
V. faba, which showed a dose–response effect. The new developed chronic bioassay test with Spartium
Chemical analyzes of the residual matrix and leaching tests showed that the concentration of heavy metals 
is always below the legislation limits. Biological acute tests (with Lepidum sativum, Vicia faba and Lact uca 
sativa) do not emphasize adverse effects to the growth of the plant species, except the bioassay with
bioassays. This protocol is used to evaluate the compatibility of the residual matrix for the disposal in
The present study addresses the theme of recycling potential of old open dumpsites by using landfill 
mining. Attention is focused on the possible reuse of the residual finer fraction (<4 mm), which constitutes
junceum showed a good adaptation to stress conditions induced by the presence of the mined landfill
temporary storages and the formation of ''bio-soils'' to be used in geo-environmental applications, such
more than 60% of the total mined material, sampled in the old open dumpsite of Lavello (Southern Italy).
material. In conclusion, the conducted experimental activities demonstrated the suitability of the material 
to be used for different purposes.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.12.013
Assessment of the possible reuse of MSW coming from landfill mining
of old open dumpsites
Bioassays
Landfill mining
Received 23 July 2013
School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Basilicata, Italy
E-mail addresses: donatella.caniani@unibas.it, dcaniani@hotmail.com (D. Cania ni).
Keywords:
Articlehistory:
Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
ÿ Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 0971205209.
Available online 10 January 2014
municipal solid waste
heavy metals
Accepted 19 December 2013
0956-053X/$ - see front matter 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
article info abstract
of contaminants are useless. For the remedy of old open
increased in the 1990s, when other studies were carried on and
there are more than 10,000 old open dumpsites, built and developed 
before current regulations were in place (before 1980), with out 
modern environmental technologies for limiting emissions.
mining. Landfill mining was first introduced in Israel in 1953 as a
(Sormunen et al., 2008). Old dumpsites, without any sort of 
protection for reducing emissions, are a source of local pollution due to
size and affected by high contamination. These methodologies,
order to complete the phase of restitution of the site to the 
environment. In literature, recovery methods adopted for remediation
water resources (Hogland et al., 2004). An interesting remedy
minimum cost. Today it is well known that this kind of waste 
disposal shows a series of problems related to possible 
contaminations caused by the degradation of organic waste, which
in 2011 landfilling was still the most common form of management
the European level, the excavation and treatment of polluted land
of volume in landfills, removal of a potential source of pollution,
The problem of environmental rehabilitation of a waste disposal
groundwater and surface water due to leaching and runoff. More 
over, in many parts of the world, landfilling is still the most important 
waste disposal method. In Italy, although more advanced
1. Introduction
dumpsites, it is necessary to set up a recovery plan tailored and
published (Krook et al., 2012). Landfill mining includes the extraction 
and processing of material buried in closed landfills, often unlined. 
Many of these old landfills still might be a ''mine'' of
These sites, although no longer used, still represent an important
the leaching of hazardous substances (Krook et al., 2012). In Italy,
with high costs, if applied to large areas with low concentrations
way to obtain fertilizers for orchards. The interest in this strategy
have mainly been developed for the treatment of soils of limited
technology for the mentioned closed open dumpsites is landfill
generates methane emissions that contribute to global warming
site has always been one of the most delicate issues to deal with, in
are now recognized as important measures to protect air, land and
Landfills have long been considered as a way to store waste at
systems for waste recycling and treatment have been developed,
ment, affecting 42.1% of municipal solid waste management (IS 
PRA, 2013).
developed on the basis of a careful campaign of investigation. At
materials. The objectives of this type of treatment are: preservation
source of environmental risk, mainly for the presence of micro-
pollutants, such as heavy metals. These sites can cause pollution of
E. Grieco, DS Lioi, IM ManciniS. Masi, D. Caniani ,
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0956053X
http://www.elsevier.com/locate/wasman
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.12.013
mailto:donatella.caniani@unibas.it
mailto:dcaniani@hotmail.com
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.12.013
Fig. 1. Study area and samples collection points (total area of the dumpsite is
S. Masi et al. /Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
approximately 10,000 m2 ).
703
developed before current regulations were in place. The samples
of the material to be tested, the possible percolation of pollutants
environmental stress (Valerio et al., 2007). Furthermore, the use
applications of the residual material originating from landfill min ing 
operations on old landfills is mainly due to its heterogeneity
matrix coming from landfill mining (with recovery of materials)
on plant species typically used in geo-environmental restoration
temporary storages, formation of ''bio-soils'' to be used in geo 
environmental applications, as daily and final covering in con trolled 
landfills in replacement of the soil layer, or in environmental
potential of waste recycling in reclamation operations (Prechthai
respecting ecological and social criteria (Quaghebeur et al., 2013).
and structurally safe storage place that allows in situ recovery
could be reused for final or daily covering of landfills, as shown
and redevelopment of the site (Hogland et al., 2004). Recently,
old dumpsites were published (Quaghebeur et al., 2013, Kaartinen
2.1. Site description and sampling
(Pasini et al., 2000).
implementation and evaluation of landfill mining is still immature
and the knowledge acquired on historical information. From the
The presence of toxicological agents can be detected by analysis
make waste disposal in landfills and incineration of valuable waste
remediation activities. We carried out chemical and physical analyses. Furthermore, we applied acute and chronic bioassays, to 
evaluate the toxicity of some heavy metals on vegetable species by
et al., 2008a). Multiple studies showed that the chemical approach
of materials and energy from waste streams and allows easy future
In addition, the volume of the old landfill site, once reclaimed,
matrix on soil receptors, vegetation material and groundwater re 
sources. Vegetation tests were used to evaluate the toxicity of
were collected in the period between June and July 2009. The land 
fill site was the object of solid waste dumped from the 1950s to the
test uses increasing doses (on a logarithmic scale) for short periods,
among past, present and future, and a new step towards the circular 
economy (Krook et al., 2013; Quaghebeur et al., 2013; Bosmans
for materials, environmental and health risks (Frändegård et al.,
applications, an innovative chronic test with Spartium Junctium
landfill, which covers an area of about 1 ha, 7 samples were
some heavy metals on vegetable species by varying the growth
the changes caused on a test organism. These tests are reliable,
et al., 2013, Jain et al., 2013). A good characterization of the site is
by Jain et al. (2005). However, it is important to underline that
the concept of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) has been receiving
in groundwater, the dry matter production of the aboveground bio 
mass, in order to meet the specific needs for reuse of the material
(Masi et al., 2011). In literature, different studies have shown residual 
material recovery originating from landfill mining activities
and remediation activities on landfills and open dumps. This residual 
matrix represents one of the main products of the storage of
and does not use standardized rules and principles, although re 
research has been conducted in this field (Krook et al., 2012). Four
materials (potential resources) unnecessary. Furthermore, it can 
easily itate the retrieval of materials from old and abandoned landfills,
of ecotoxicological assays allows us to evaluate, on one side, the
early years of the 1980s. The dumpsite does not possess any form
varying the growth substrate. The analysis protocol proposed in
access to resources whenever needed. The temporary storage is a
can be renewed and adapted to the standard rules and reused
does not provide satisfactory tools to define the environmental risk
The material used in this research originates from the old closed
In this research paper, an innovative analytical protocol is signed 
to test the suitability of organic residues from landfill mining activities 
of very old closed dumpsites. There are several
from 15 min to 96 h. Chronic tests have a duration variable from
et al., 2013; Jones et al., 2013).
2013).
was developed and carried out. The developed analytical protocol
thus also creating a connection to the past and realizing a delayed
main type of uncertainty related to landfill mining projects can
taken, following the scheme showed in Fig. 1, at a depth from the
substrate. However, giving the lack in literature of chronic tests
convenient, fast and simple (Valerio et al., 2007). Laboratory tests
waste in landfills and consists mainly of degraded organic matter,
mitigation of the site contamination, energy recovery, reuse of
in the fields it is meant for, and the possible use of the material un 
der study in environmental remediation activities.
bio-available fraction of the pollutants, and, on the other hand,
(Hogland et al., 2004; Prechthai et al., 2008b), but only in recent
is able to verify: the main physical and chemical characteristics
days to months and are typically conducted using low concentrations 
for long periods. The use of plants offers an advantage if compared 
to other organisms, because they may be more sensitive to
One of the most critical aspects is the destination of the residual
The complexity of studying the suitability in environmental
to store new waste (Prechthai et al., 2008b). The approach for the
needed to identify the problems related to the process of complaint 
(Raga and Cossu, 2013). Furthermore, a qualitative and quantitative 
analysis of waste is essential, in order to determine the
landfills (as we know them) are, ideally, transformed into temporary 
storage places. The temporary storage is an environmentally friendly
a lot of attention. ELFM includes the combined and integrated value 
of waste streams as both materials and energy, while
hypothesis of usage of the obtained material, such as: storage in
dumpsite of Lavello (Basilicata Region-Southern Italy), which was
any synergy and/or antagonism phenomena of different substances
years papers concerning the study of the possibility of mining very
recycling. The temporary storage will allow creating a connection
be listed: waste composition, processing technologies, markets
can be divided into acute and chronic (or sublethal) tests. An acute
2. Materials and methods
of containment of pollutants (unlined landfill). The sampling pro 
gramme was defined on the basis of a visual observation of the site
this study is able to describe the influence of the analyzed organic
associated to a mixture of pollutants (Pasini et al., 2000). Information 
about phytotoxicity is necessary for the evaluation of the 
environmental pollution risk (Wang et al., 2001; Caniani et al., 2013).
new concept that enables optimization of waste recycling and will
soil cover and residues of medium and large size. This material
recoverable materials in landfills, reduction of management cost
Machine Translated by Google
leaching test with acetic acid, as described in method 1311 (USEPA,
concentration concentration. The analytical measures of metals are based on the
2.4.1. Acute tests: germination test with Lepidum sativum and root
screens up to 10 mm and 4 mm. Chemical analyzes were performed
on a sandy soil with sand content >90% and very low content of or ganic colloids 
and clay. Two trays, indicated with the letters A and
Chemical analyzes of the material under study, even if indispensable, are 
not comprehensive for the purpose of this research. It is
at 105 C. The method adopted is the UNI-EN-13137. The measure
of the material under study not only in geo-environmental applications, as barrier 
layers in landfills, but even for the formation of
inorganic contaminants to vegetable tissues. Biochemical characteristics of 
materials can be evaluated through acute and chronic
of L. sativum (after a period of incubation of 24 h at 27 C), which
sample.
root length and determined the Germination Index Ig, according
The total organic carbon (TOC) analyzes were carried out using
subjected to three operations of quartering, through which a laboratory sample 
of 230 kg was obtained.
of microbiological analysis of compost'' (Italian Environmental Protection Agency, 
2003). The germination test evaluates the phyto toxicity of the soil through the 
assessment of the possibleeffect
Pb, Zn. The chemical analyzes evaluate the concentration of heavy
of inorganic carbon. Some organic compounds, however, cannot be
total number of 15 repetitions were carried out (5 repetitions for
2006), which is more stringent than other similar tests. The aim of
2.2. Merceological analysis and screening
very important to assess the presence of some substances or properties that 
cannot be detected with chemical analyzes such as: synthetic organic matter 
(which cannot be predicted even if the origin
''bio-soils'' to be used in environmental remediation activities in
is obtained by high temperature combustion: the organic carbon is
tests, carried out on vegetable species used as indicators. All the
is a plant particularly sensitive to the presence of phytotoxic factors. The MSW 
sample, brought to a humidity of 85%, is left in contact with distilled water for 2 
h. On the obtained aqueous extract,
The purpose of the root elongation test in V. faba is the assessment of the 
presence of phytotoxins that can cause the reduction
The
2.3. Preliminary laboratory analyses: determination of heavy metals,
extracted with acetic acid (pH 2.88), 20 times the weight of the
and ferrous materials, plastic and cellulosic materials, glass, stone
of phytotoxic products on the germination of seeds. This bioassay
metals in the study matrix and the leaching potentiality.
of biomass is known), mobility of the different chemical forms of
synergistic effects due to the contemporary presence of several
completely oxidized. For this reason, the value of C, that is obtained
the leaching test is to evaluate the behavior of an organic and inorganic matrix in 
the release of pollutants in an acid environment,
The sampled material was subjected to a screening operation at
each protocol). The standardized testing protocol is as follows:
B, each containing 25 seeds, were prepared for each assay. After a
elongation test with V. faba
on eight waste samples, four from the undersieve at 4 mm and four
standard methods for water and wastewater analysis (APHA et al.,
oxidized to CO2, which is detected by an infrared analyzer. It is
biological assays were carried out on MSW samples, taken from
opportunely diluted, we tested the germination of 5 replicates with
open field. For this reason, the material under study spoke a
The average length of roots (considering both replicates) for
total organic carbon and leaching tests
sample. The samples were agitated at 30 rpm for 18 h, passed
of the length of the primary root in seedlings of V. faba, compared
material and burnt material, which is probably the result of the old
to the following equation:
''Sulfur/Carbon Analyzer SC-144 DR (LECO)'', on samples of
with this analysis, is lower than that is actually present in the
such as a landfill environment. It assesses whether the liquid phase
10mm and 4mm. The different merceological categories identified
one protocol with distilled water and two protocols with aqueous
metals under different environmental conditions, additive and
period of 96 h, we proceeded to the measurement of the primary
2.4. Biological assays
from the underside up to 10 mm. We performed two types of analyzes: chemical 
analyzes and leaching tests. Heavy metals identified
1998) and were carried out by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP), 
Variant 710.
ground level between 0.5 and 1 m. All 7 samples were composed
The germination test in L. Sativum and the root elongation test
the undersieve up to 4 mm.
each dose was compared with those of the control tests. The Generation Index 
was calculated with Eq. (1).
through a 0.45 lm membrane filter and analyzed for heavy metals
to the control. The seedlings were treated for 96 h with three different doses of 
the material under study and with a control (Table 1). The test was conducted in 
a climatic chamber at 20 ± 1 C,
and widespread practice of burning waste in dumpsites.
The sampled material was subjected to sieving into rotation
material that were previously sieved to 2 mm and dried in an oven
takes into account the germination and root growth of the seeds
One of the objectives of this research is to test the possible reuse
contaminants, bio-availability and transfer rate of organic and
in the oversieve and recognized in the sample were manually separated. It was 
possible to recognize the following fractions: metals
extract at a concentration of 50% and 75%.
obtained shows noticeable traces of pollutants. The samples were
by chemical analyzes are the following: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni,
After incubation, we counted the seeds germinated and their
together in a unique sample (approximately 1840 kg) that was
in V. faba are phytotoxicity tests reported in the manual ''Methods
root of the germinated seeds.
important to carry out acidification and aeration of the sample before the TOC 
analysis, in order to avoid errors due to the presence
10 seeds of L. sativum placed in Petri dish containing tissue paper. A
Gt the average number of seeds germinated in the control (distilled
Gt Lt
Gc Lc
kilogram of sandy soil.
Table 1
Bioassay with Vicia faba: dosages expressed in grams of the material under study per
material under study / kg of sand
S. Masi et al. / Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
88.3
two
704
soil)soil)
Wet doses at 2% humidity (g of the
00
450.5
1 90.1
165.6 
441.5
Dose Dry doses (g of the material
168.9
under study/kg of dry sand
3
0
100 ð1ÞIgð%Þ ¼
water); Lc the average root length in the sample; Lt is the average
root length in the control (distilled water).
where Gc is the average number of seeds germinated in the sample;
Machine Translated by Google
the substrate obtained with the poor soil, A2, B2, C2, D2, E2 for the
The repetitions were numbered as follows: A1, B1, C1, D1, E1 for
study per kilogram of inert soil.
Table 3
Total organic carbon of the solid waste compared with that of a typical agrarian soil.Bioassay with Spartium junceum: dosages expressed in grams of the material under
Table 2
peat and pumice. These last four pots were prepared in order to
and 7.3 for the agricultural land, while the material under study
or biomass waste, applied to a specific growth substrate. The 
experimental design involved the mixing, at increasing concentrations (9
identify the effects that the material under study produces on
of adapting itself to types of soils that are characterized as difficult
the second scenario. In the first scenario, the peat was added in or 
der to avoid granulometric separation between sand and the stud ied 
matrix. The addition of poor soil had the purpose of simulating
After a growing period of 14 days, the aboveground part of the
Spartium junceum
type). Control samples, consisting of four pots for each of the two
lettuce seedlings were inserted in each pot. The trial was conducted
and the other with poor soil. The containers of type A and B and the
alsoa species with a surface root system characterized by a maxi 
mum depth of the roots equal to 1.5 m.
In addition to the pots of 2.5 l, we set up, keeping the same
2.4.2. Agronomic suitability bioassays: vegetation test with Lactuca
from 11.0 g/kg of SS (suspended solids) to 441.5 g/kg of SS (Table 
2), with inert soil (river natural silica sand, to which about
plants was taken for the measurement of the fresh weight and,
have seedlings that were developed on an ideal substrate for the
(for example dry or clayey). Furthermore, S. junceum is commonly
such as liquid or solid organic residues. The method is based on the
the behavior of the mixture studied in coatings of landfills or in
doses and repetitions, two alveolar 5 8 vessels (B type, volume
10% by volume of peat moss was added), for the first scenario,
Sativa
alveolar vessels were used to analyze the seed germination. The
was slightly sub-acid, with a pH of 6.7.
doses), of the test substance (MSW undersieve up to 4 mm) with an 
artificial substrate, fertilized by a concentrated fertilizer solution. The
the development of this species at varying doses, through the 
analysis of germination, root development and characteristics of the
substrate obtained with the mixture of sand and blond peat. Rep 
etitions F and G are related to the containers of type B, i.e. to the
Spanish broom. Thirty seeds of S. junceum were sown in each
after drying, of the dry weight.
base substrates (without the material under study), were also set
in a greenhouse (16 h of light, 8 of dark, 25 C at day, 16 C at night),
evaluation of the aboveground biomass production for lettuce
The purpose of the test is to assess the phytotoxicity of the
The biological chronic bioassay with S. junceum is a new test
applications of environmental recovery. The two base substrates
of the single cell = 0.18 l), obtaining, for each of the two base sub 
strates, 5 repetitions for each of the 7 dosages and 5 control samples. 
We found 5 test organisms per cell of the obtained 80 pots.
and with agricultural poor soil (which was sieved at 4 mm), for
The applied methodology is described in ''Methods of 
microbiological analysis of compost'' (Italian Environmental Protection
two alveolar vessels allowed us to measure radical elongation.
used in environmental restoration activities. This species has good
The mixtures were placed in 2.5 l pots in four repetitions forseedlings of lettuce (L. sativa L.), which were previously germinated
produced aboveground biomass (quantity and color).
are broadly neutral, with a pH of 6.9 for the sand-peat mixture
plants, in the presence of increasing doses of a particular product
material under study against the S. junceum. The test allows us to
larger containers filled one with a mixture of sand and blond peat
using vessels with a capacity of 0.3 l.
that has been developed during this research. This species was 
selected because it is suitable for carrying out the revegetation 
activities on closed landfills. In fact, Spanish broom is a species capable
up. We prepared four additional pots containing a mixture of loam,
in a separate germinator, were then transplanted on the test mix 
tures. Four replicates were set up for each of the nine assays. Three
each dose and for each base substrate, for a total of 56 pots (A
Agency, 2003). The purpose is to test the agronomic phyto-compat 
ibility and to evaluate the possible agricultural reuse of by-products,
2.4.3. Chronic test: germination and radical elongation tests with
container.
The material under study was mixed, in seven increasing doses
resistance to water stress and to methane exhalation stress. It is
g of the material under study/kg
11.0 
22.1 
44.2
5 
6 
7
TOC (%) Agrarian soil
Solid waste
of inert soil
5.2%
88.3
Sample 2
22.5
Mean
5.2%
225.3
S. Masi et al. /Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
of inert soil
Agrarian soil Sample 1
165.6 
220.8 
441.5
Fig. 2. Results of the mercological analyzes carried out on samples measured at 10 mm (left graph) and 4 mm (right graph).
wet dosage
TOC (%) Solid waste
Solid waste
1 
2 3
4 90.1
0.8% 
0.9% 
0.8%
5.3%g of the material under study/kg
Sample 1
450.5
705
45.1
11.3
Agrarian soil Sample 2
168.9
Dose Dry dosage
Mean
Machine Translated by Google
(2013), that found undersieve percentages variable between 40%
70.4% undersieve.
use set by Directive 86/278/CEE. Concentrations of all heavy metals
US EPA for land application of sewer sludge.
The results in Table 3 show that the agrarian soil used as sub strate 
has a TOC concentration usual for eluvial agricultural soils,
taproots.
by the US EPA for land application of sewer sludge (USEPA, 1995)
3.1. Merceological and sieve analyzes
10 mm screen which gave the following results:
oversieve. The results are similar at both levels of screening. Add
3.2. Preliminary laboratory analyses: chemical analyzes and leaching
the sample with particle size <4 mm, is lower than the concentrations in 
the undersieve at 10 mm. For the determination of the
the specimens germinated in each pot and, after the explant from
concluding that, if we assimilate the material to sludge, the obtained
Growth Radical Inhibition Index. The Germination Index is calculated
The merceological analysis showed, as expected, the presence of
and 70%, depending on the sampling location in the landfill. The
The chemical results are shown in Table 4. The obtained results 
reveal, on average, that the concentrations of heavy metals
In the undersieve at 4 mm only As and Cd exceed the ''High Quality'' 
Pollutant Concentration Limits prescribed by the US EPA stan dards. In 
the undersieve at 10 mm, As, Cd and Pb exceed the ''High
according to the following equation:
We measured the Germination Number and the root elongation
that is implied into limits fixed by USEPA for the compost
in waste samples (<4 mm and <10 mm) meet the pollutant Ceiling
This result can be compared with that of Quaghebeur et al.
and to the threshold concentrations for sludge for agriculture
while the analyzed solid waste has higher values. The soil waste
the vessels of 0.18 l, to the measurement of the length of the
The most significant source of the metals detected in the residual 
matrix could be associated with different materials, such as
acceptability limits of concentrations of these pollutants, we refer to the 
threshold concentrations of contaminants prescribed
tests
concentrations are lower than the ceiling limits prescribed by the
After 90 days in the greenhouse, we proceeded to the count of
29.6% oversieve;
differences are due to the variability of the examined samples.
that could become ''available to the environment'', contained in
Quality'' Pollutant Concentration Limits set by the US EPA. We can
lated with Eq. (1). The Growth Radical Inhibition Index is defined
3. Results and discussion
a significant quantity of inert materials (glass, stone) and uniden tifiedfine 
fractions (Fig. 2). The material was then submitted to a
following screening at 4 mm gave 63.6% undersieve and 36.4%
characteristics.
Concentrations fixed by USEPA and the European Union limits, except 
for cadmium, which exceed only the European limits (Table 4).
and, consequently, we calculated the Germination Index and the
material object of study was slightly sub-acid having a pH of 6.7,
Lc
Lc Li
1096 
292
110.2 
260.2 
3520.4 
4927.9
39
–
73.7 
54.5 
150.0
–
202.7
sam
ples
10m
m
S
am
ple
C
D
C
oncentration
89
S
am
ple 
4
2575.2
41
1500
90.0 
284.6 
906.0 
1566.9
1067
20–
40
H
igh 
Q
uality
295.5
73 
54 
145
S
am
ple
67.5 
54.6 
100.6
C
eiling
538
N
i
75.3 
54.2 
153.9
–
1585.8
86/278/
E
E
C
)
S
am
ple 
1
3 
4m
m
2779 
85.0 
260.2 
302
–
U
S
E
P
A
55
1 
4m
m
300 
2800
92.4 
116.0 
298.2 
1207.4
M
n
(m
g/
kg) 
(A
nnex 
IB
275.5
988.2 
3385
4300
S
am
ple 
2
4m
m
S
am
ple
68
A
ss
89.4 
315.7 
788.5 
1199.7
41 
39
agriculture 
use
10m
m
4 
4m
m
T
able 
4 
C
hem
ical 
analyzes 
of 
the 
m
aterial 
sieved 
at 
10 
m
m
 
and 
4 
m
m
 
com
pared 
w
ith 
threshold 
concentrations 
for 
biosolids 
set 
by 
U
S
E
P
A
 
and 
w
ith 
threshold 
concentration
–
sam
ples
Z
n
R
ates 
(kg/
ha)
871.7
–
205.5 
311.9 
2087.5 
2092.6
2500–
4000
70.3 
53.7 
147.1
(m
g/
kg), 
U
S
E
P
A
100.4
the 
four
10m
m
75 
85
the 
four
S
am
ple
Loading
1241
P
b
300 
2800
71.8 
54.0 
129.5
750–
1200
Lim
its
rations 
for 
sludge 
for 
agricultural 
use 
set 
by 
D
irective 
86/278/
C
E
E
.
heavy 
m
etals 
in 
sludge 
for
183.5
55.5
U
S
E
P
A
T
o 
the
A
verage 
of
P
ollutant
117
138.2 
361.4 
1983.7 
2416.6
1500
66.5 
54.6 
161.6
300–
400
C
oncentration
2825.0
S
am
ple 
3
C
oncentration 
lim
its 
of
181.0
A
verage 
of
m
etal
C
um
ulative
C
r
–
97.8 
261.0 
4539.1 
3085.5
P
ollutant
heavy
2 
4m
m
1000–
1750
138
840 
7500
10m
m
10m
m
Lim
its 
(m
g/
kg)
69.9 
54.4 
106.3
706 S. Masi et al. / Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
In ¼ ð2Þ100
where Lc is the root length in the control; Li is the root length in the
sample.
Machine Translated by Google
G
erm
ination 
Index
C
oncentration 
(m
g/
l)
C
oncentration 
(m
g/
l)
1.00 1.00
2.00
3.00
As Cd Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn As Cd Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn
3.00
4.00
0.00
5.00
5.00
4.00
0.00
6.00
6.00
2.00
1
Protocol 1 Protocol 2
two
0.5
0
1.5
Control
very similar results for all the species analyzed. This means that As and 
Cd present the highest leaching potentials among the other metals 
analyzed, whereas Mn, Pb and Zn present the lowest.
The results of the leaching tests are reported in Fig. 3. Detected 
heavy metals are the following: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn.
3.3. Biological assays
In order to recognize the dose–response effect, we carried out the 
bioassay with V. faba. The trends of Germination Index and Radical 
Elongation show, on average, a decrease with the increasing of the 
doses added to the reference substrate (Fig. 6). Since the radical 
elongation data does not follow a normal distribution, we applied the 
non-parametric KW test. This analysis detected, from the statistical 
point of view, a significant difference in the level of growth of the test 
organism for the different doses, as shown in the box plot in Fig. 6. 
This second acute test confirmed that the investi gated waste could 
induce adverse toxic effect for the plant growth.
The comparison can be carried out only for the species for which the 
US Legislation indicates limits, specifically As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. 
The concentration values of the analyzed metals are lower than the 
allowable heavy metal US TCLP standard concentrations ( USEPA, 
2006), for both the samples passing at 4 and 10 mm (Fig. 3).
Results of the germination test in L. sativum are reported in Fig. 4.
3.3.1. Acute tests: test of germination in L. sativum and test of the 
primary root elongation in V. faba
3.3.2. The agronomic suitability bioassay: phytotoxicity test with L. 
sativa 
The results of the phytotoxicity test with L. sativa (Table 5) are 
expressed in terms of a judgment of compatibility with the plant growth, 
or suitability for agricultural use. The judgment of suitability
The results of the Germination Index, which comprises the results 
of germination and root length, were subjected to a statistical treatment 
of data by applying an analysis of variance. We assessed whether the 
three concentrations, 0, 50% and 75% (control, protocol 1 and protocol 
2), are statistically differentiated at the level of significance a = 0.05. A 
preliminary verification of the hypotheses of applicability of this method 
is needed (normally distributed data and homogeneity of variances). 
The data does not follow a normal distribution and at least one of the 
two variances is different from the others. For these reasons, it was not 
possible to carry out an ANOVA test. Therefore, a non-parametric test 
with k samples, the Kruskal–Wallis test (KW test), was applied. The 
result of the K–W test af firms that the greatest variability of data is due 
to the diversity of the values in each series rather than to the diversity of 
the three series of measurements (probability = 0.233 > 0.05). There 
are no significant statistical differences among the tested samples. The 
reading of the box plots in Fig. 5 demonstrates that the distribution of 
the obtained samples does not show a great variance. This means that 
it is not possible to recognize a dose–response relationship.
It is interesting to note that, although the concentrations of As and 
Cd are the lowest in the material, the leaching test gives
Nickel/Cadmium batteries, impurity in several products, including 
phosphorus-based fertilizers, pesticides and detergents and refined 
petroleum products. This confirms our hypothesis about the presence 
of every type of material that was dumped in the landfill during the past.
USEPA Limits
Sample1(4mm)
Sample 4(10mm)Sample2(4mm)
Sample3(10mm)
USEPA Limits
Fig. 4. Results of the bioassay on Lepidum sativum: Germination Index (%) calculated 
for the three protocols and the five repetitions.
707
Fig. 3. Results of the leaching test carried out on the material sized at 4 mm (graph on the left) and 10 mm (graph on the right).
Fig. 5. Box plot of the Germination Index (%) calculated on Lepidum Sativum for the 3 
protocols and the five repetitions.
S. Masi et al. /Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
Machine Translated by Google
lower lengths of the roots.
the K–W tests, carried out on the results concerning the Germination 
Index, which gives a probability of 0.12 for poor soil experiment. In 
the case of the peat-sand mix, the KW test gives a
dosages did not affect the seedling development. The substrate
probability of 0.05, which suggests a dose–response effect, as shown
effects produced on the plant species were not clearly predictable.
each series rather than to the diversity ofthe ten series of 
measurements. The distribution of the samples obtained does not show a
in Fig. 8. The chronic test carried out with the S. junceum showed
constituted of poor soil gave the best results, both in terms of 
generation than in terms of root length. The matrix residue mixed
of the control (dose 0). But, the result of the K–W test affirms that
that the residual material did not cause adverse effects to thegreat variance (Fig. 7). For this reasons, increasing dosage does
not influence the growth of L. sativa. The phytotoxicity test with
adverse effect for its agronomic usage.
ity is based primarily on the results of the statistical comparison
regarding the average dry weight of the epigeal biomass.
growth of plant species. This conclusion is also confirmed by
From a statistical point of view, we observed a fluctuation
the greatest variability of data is due to the diversity of the values in
Observing the trend of Germination Index and Radical Elongation 
Inhibition Index (Figs. 8 and 9), it can be observed that the
The average production of dry material, which is obtained on
around the value of the controls (100%). In relation to this, it seems
the substrate treated with the studied product, is higher than that
3.3.3. Chronic test: germination and radical elongation tests with S.
Junceum
L. sativa showed that the material under study does not show an
with the substrate made up of sand and peat showed the best 
generation results with increasing doses of the tested material but
that the link between the doses of the stabilized product and the
0.002
0.036
0.003
mean 
st. deviation
vase C
0.001
st. deviation
0.015
vase A 
vase B
Epigeal biomass
0.033
vase B
vase C
vase C 
vase D
weight (g)
0.005
vase B
vase B
S. Masi et al. / Waste Management 34 (2014) 702–710
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.025 
0.016
vase B
Dose 0
0.001 
0.002 
0.004 
0.002 
0.001
mean
vase B
Epigeal biomass
Dose 9
vase A
mean 
st. deviation
708
0.022 
0.017 
0.012
vase A
mean 
st. deviation
0.028
0.007
0.004
mean
0.002
0.014 
0.019 
0.021 
0.027 
0.021
0.004 
0.002 
0.002 
0.001
vase A
vase A
RepetitionDOSE
st. deviation
Dose 1
mean 
st. deviation
0.002 
0.003 
0.001
0.002
0.003 
0.002
Dose 8
0.000
0.019 
0.029 
0.008 
0.022 
0.011
0.002
0.001
0.001
DOSE
Dose 6
0.026 
0.018 
0.022 
0.009
vase A
vase A 
vase B 
vase C 
vase D
vase B
0.002
0.026 
0.033 
0.016
vase D
0.002
0.003
dry weight (g)
0.002 
0.002 
0.006
0.035 
0.024
vase C 
vase D
0.005 
0.002
0.002
0.003
Dose 3
Repetition
mean 
st. deviation
0.002
0.002
0.002
vase C
0.004
0.003
0.012 
0.047 
0.017
0.033 
0.024 
0.069
dry weight (g)
0.033
0.001
0.004
vase A
mean 
st. deviation
Dose 7
0.012
0.003
vase A 
vase B
0.023
0.023 
0.016 
0.016 
0.021 
0.019
0.003
Epigeal biomass
0.032
mean
vase D
0.004
0.033
vase A 
vase B 
vase C 
vase D
0.001
st. deviation
0.021
0.002
0.035 
0.021 
0.019 
0.027 
0.008
Dose 5
vase D
st. deviation
0.000 
0.025
0.007
vase D
mean
Epigeal biomass
Fig. 6. Bioassay with Vicia faba: Germination Index (%) calculated for the four doses (left graph); Box plot of the Radical Elongation (cm) (right graph).
0.002
Dose 2
0.002
Dose 4
vase D
0.002
0.003
0.001 
0.001 
0.003 
0.002 
0.002
weight (g)
vase C
vase C
0.016 
0.024 
0.027 
0.009
vase D
vase C
0.057 
0.021
0.001
Results of the vegetation test with Lactuca sativa.
Table 5
Machine Translated by Google
V. faba, which showed that the investigated matrix could have an
mitigating effects of this phenomenon produced by plants through
of the University of Basilicata and the CODRA Mediterranean spa
This work forms part of a research project supported by grant of
But the Germination Index trend seems to suggest an increase of
The organic finer fraction, which represents a significant part of
TCLP standard (USEPA, 2006). The biological phytotoxicity test on
glass, metal and plastic from the composite product is needed. More 
over, it is useful to evaluate the effective mobility of heavy metals
non-edible crops, by performing chemical analyzes of percolating
Acknowledgments
Principal Investigator.
from landfill mining operations carried out on the old closed municipal 
dumpsite of Lavello (Potenza, Italy). This study demonstrated
dumpsite is suitable for the analyzed plant species and does not 
produce negative effects on the environment.
heavy metals in concentrations always lower than the USEPA 
standards for the use of biosolids. The concentrations of heavy metals
adaptation to the stress conditions induced by the presence of this
used in environmental remediation activities or in geo-environmental 
applications, in replacement of the soil layer, or for the cultivation of 
non-edible crops. Further studies will be concentrated
that the composition of very old dumpsites is uniform and constituted 
mainly of a very fine fraction (<4 mm). The analysis show
<10mm fraction. The leaching potential of heavy metals is very
28 December 2012 n. 957/Ric – Prot. 2012PTZAMC) entitled ''En ergy 
consumption and GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the
Old open dumpsites are a significant problem in terms of occupation 
of land and environmental impact. The research conducted
costs.
activities mainly include the reuse of organic finer fractions (size < 4 
mm). We can conclude that the investigated material can
adverse effect on it. The toxic effect that the material causes on
mechanisms of phyto-stabilization and phyto-accumulation.
the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)
the germination with the increase of the dosages.
the material extracted (70%), can be used in different environmental 
applications. In fact, there is a considerable demand for organic
L. sativa and the acute tests did not demonstrate particularly adverse 
effects on the growth of test species, except for the test on
from the soil matrix to water matrix, taking into consideration the
water and chemical analysis of absorption on the developed seedlings. 
In a full scale application, however, the removal of stone,
The experimental activities were performed by a synergy be 
between the Laboratory of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering
(Operational Center for Defense and Environmental Restoration).
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