A Review of Landfill Leachates and Its Effects on the Receiving Plants and Soil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1018-5810Keywords:
Landfill leachate, Soil contamination, Soil properties, Phytotoxicity, Plant growthAbstract
Landfill leachate is a complex and potentially toxic aqueous solution that is produced by the decomposition of municipal solid waste and the percolation of water through landfill deposits. The chemical composition of landfill leachate is dependent on the characteristics of the waste, the age of the landfill, climatic conditions, and the prevailing biological and physicochemical processes. This review discusses the mechanisms, composition, properties, and environmental impacts of landfill leachate, especially on soil properties and plant growth and development. The leachate is mainly formed by rainfall infiltration, moisture contained in waste materials, and water produced during microbial decomposition. In addition to organic matter, nutrients, dissolved salts, ammonia, heavy metals, and other potentially harmful compounds, the leachate may contain high concentrations of organic matter, nutrients, dissolved salts, ammonia, heavy metals, and other potentially hazardous compounds, which can change soil pH, electrical conductivity, and the availability of other soil nutrients when it is discharged into surrounding soils. While diluted leachate may occasionally stimulate plant growth by the enrichment of nutrients, higher concentrations are generally inhibitory. In summary, landfill leachate can have a severe impact on soil quality, vegetation, and ecosystem functioning, and the proper collection, treatment, monitoring, and environmentally sound management of landfill leachate is imperative.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aishat Isiaka Mahmud, Odewale Gbolabo, Lucas Kombe Adang, Olaomi Adeyemi Afeez
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