Chemical pollution and toxicity of water samples from stream receiving leachate from controlled municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill

The present study was aimed to determine the impact of municipal waste landfill on the pollution level of surface waters, and to investigate whether the choice and number of physical and chemical parameters monitored are sufficient for determining the actual risk related to bioavailability and mobility of contaminants. In 2007-2012, water samples were collected from the stream flowing through the site at two sampling locations, i.e. before the stream's entry to the landfill, and at the stream outlet from the landfill. The impact of leachate on the quality of stream water was observed in all samples. In 2007-2010, high values of TOC and conductivity in samples collected down the stream from the landfill were observed; the toxicity of these samples was much greater than that of samples collected up the stream from the landfill. In 2010-2012, a significant decrease of conductivity and TOC was observed, which may be related to the modernization of the landfill. Three tests were used to evaluate the toxicity of sampled water. As a novelty the application of Phytotoxkit F (TM) for determining water toxicity should be considered. Microtox (R) showed the lowest sensitivity of evaluating the toxicity of water samples, while Phytotoxkit F (TM) showed the highest. High mortality rates of Thamnocephalus platyurus in Thamnotoxkit F (TM) test can be caused by high conductivity, high concentration of TOC or the presence of compounds which are not accounted for in the water quality monitoring program. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.