Biomining: An Innovative and Practical Solution for Reclamation of Open Dumpsite

Abstract

Many of the developing nations practice open dumping as a final disposal method for municipal solid waste (MSW) generated. These dumpsites of MSW create the surface water pollution through the leachate discharge from the dumpsite, pollute the groundwater by leaching of heavy metals from the dumped solid waste over the years and also create air pollution in terms of release of CO₂, CH₄, thus contributing to climate change and other toxic gases. Thus, dumpsite becomes an eyesore and it is the need of the hour to find an alternate way of environmentally friendly disposal method of MSW. A feasible solution for the reclamation of these large sites is by biomining in which different groups of materials are extracted from the dumpsite and recycled or reused in a proper way thus resulting in the monetary value and resource flow. Biomining concept is a simple, innovative, economically feasible, practical, quick, and environmentally acceptable measure to remediate the old open dumpsite to achieve zero emission of landfill gases and leachate, and also reclaim the land reusability and zero maintenance. An integrated approach has been incorporated in which the stabilization part in biomining is carried out through bioreactor landfill treatment and then followed by biomining concepts. A conceptual framework for Biomining of the MSW dumpsite at Chennai has been developed and the implementation of the same in a site has been discussed. Also, a detailed framework for future management of open dumpsites has been developed and discussed.