Assessment of Soil Contamination Caused by Municipal Solid Waste and Its Environmental Impacts
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) has become one of the major anthropogenic factors contributing to soil degradation in urban and peri-urban environments. This study assesses the extent, sources, and environmental implications of soil contamination caused by improper MSW disposal. Field sampling and laboratory analyses were conducted to determine the concentrations of key pollutants, including heavy metals, organic residues, and physicochemical alterations in soils surrounding waste disposal sites. The obtained results indicate elevated levels of contaminants exceeding acceptable environmental standards, reflecting intensified anthropogenic pressure. Furthermore, the study highlights how such pollution negatively affects soil quality, microbial activity, nutrient cycles, and overall ecosystem stability. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved waste management strategies, environmental monitoring, and remediation efforts to mitigate the long-term ecological risks associated with MSW-induced soil contamination. Keywords. Soil contamination; Municipal solid waste (MSW); Heavy metals; Environmental impact; Soil degradation; Ecosystem stability; Anthropogenic pollution; Waste management; Ecological risk assessment; Physicochemical properties.