Identification of nitrogen-sources in an aquifer beneath a municipal solid waste landfill in the vicinity of multiple...

Nitrogen contamination of groundwater has become a global issue and has aroused considerable concern among authorities. However, it is difficult to trace nitrogen sources in settings where a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill site co-exists with intensive agriculture and other human activities. Therefore, a field investigation that combined a statistical analysis (factor analysis: FA) and hydrochemical analysis was designed and undertaken to identify nitrogen-pollutant sources in the shallow groundwater beneath an MSW landfill near to an agricultural area and human settlement. The results of the case study showed that nitrate was the specific pollutant produced by agricultural non-point-sources (P_bi = 15.5) and domestic pollution sources (P_bi = 41.0). The total phosphorus (P_bi = 37.2) and organic matter (P_bi = 16.6) were the specific pollutants released by the aquaculture and animal husbandry point-sources, and chloride (P_bi = 75.4) and organic matter (P_bi = 16.1) were the specific pollutants produced by the landfill. In the investigated area, the domestic pollution sources and agricultural non-point-sources were the most likely sources of nitrate contamination in the shallow aquifer. However, the landfill source and the aquaculture and animal husbandry point sources were the most likely sources of ammonium contamination. The combined method used in this study could successfully identify the nitrogen pollution sources in the shallow groundwater beneath an MSW landfill located in the vicinity of multiple pollutant sources. The method could be used to improve the control of nitrogen contamination and the management of groundwater quality.