Effects of residues from municipal solid waste landfill on corn yield and heavy metal content

• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.02.009
• Publication Date: 2009-03-23T14:47:10Z
• Authors: S. Prabpai; L. Charerntanyarak; B. Siri; M.R. Moore; Barry N. Noller
• Keywords: 710201 Waste management; 660; 829999 Plant Production and Plant Primary Products not elsewhere classified; Zea mays; 01 natural sciences; 829804 Management of Solid Waste from Plant Production; Refuse Disposal; 12. Responsible consumption; Soil; C1; 059999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; 300206 Post Harvest Technologies (Transportation and Storage); Metals, Heavy; 11. Sustainability; solid waste management; Soil Pollutants; 050299 Environmental Science and Management not elsewhere classified; 300903 Sustainable Development; Cities; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The effects of residues from municipal solid waste landfill, Khon Kaen Municipality, Thailand, on corn (Zea mays L.) yield and heavy metal content were studied. Field experiments with randomized complete block design with five treatments (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80% v/v of residues and soil) and four replications were carried out. Corn yield and heavy metal contents in corn grain were analyzed. Corn yield increased by 50, 72, 85 and 71% at 20, 40, 60 and 80% treatments as compared to the control, respectively. All heavy metals content, except cadmium, nickel and zinc, in corn grain were not significantly different from the control. Arsenic, cadmium and zinc in corn grain were strongly positively correlated with concentrations in soil. The heavy metal content in corn grain was within regulated limits for human consumption.