LAUSR

Landfilling is Kuwait’s only waste disposal method. It presents an economical and a reliable solution in waste management but can pose a threat to human health and environment, making rehabilitation and restoration of these areas critical for future developments. Moreover, improper handling and management of waste in landfill sites could result in release of toxic gases and leachate contamination and might have a long-term impact on the environment. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish a baseline soil characterisation for the planning of landfill restoration based on the contamination of heavy metals and organic pollutants in these sites. The contamination and soil permeability of three of Kuwait’s active landfills, namely the South Seven Ring Road, Mina Abdullah, and A-Jahra, were quantified. These landfills are under consideration by the government for restoration and future developments. The granulometric distribution and waste handling for these landfills were quantified. Hydraulic conductivity (k) of the soil samples was estimated to determine the nature of the soil. A series of heavy metals and organic pollutants were also quantified in laboratory and compared to the Canadian and Australian guidelines. Though these contaminants were mostly within the level of threshold of their toxicity, the sites should be handled properly and carefully for restoration and future uses as the bioavailability may change with alterations and should be tested in future.