Uncontrolled Post-Industrial Landfill-Source of Metals, Potential Toxic Compounds, Dust, and Pathogens in...

The aim of this case study was the evaluation of the selected metals' concentration, potential toxic compound identification, cytotoxicity analysis, estimation of the airborne dust concentration, biodiversity, and number of microorganisms in the environment (leachate, soil, air) of the biggest uncontrolled post-industrial landfills in Poland. Based on the results obtained, preliminary solutions for the future management of post-industrial objects that have become an uncontrolled landfill were indicated. In the air, the PM₁ fraction dominated, constituting 78.1-98.2% of the particulate matter. Bacterial counts were in the ranges of 9.33 × 10¹-3.21 × 10³ CFU m^-3 (air), 1.87 × 10⁵-2.30 × 10⁶ CFU mL^-1 (leachates), and 8.33 × 10⁴-2.69 × 10⁶ CFU g^-1 (soil). In the air, the predominant bacteria were Cellulosimicrobium and Stenotrophomonas. The predominant fungi were Mycosphaerella, Cladosporium, and Chalastospora. The main bacteria in the leachates and soils were Acinetobacter, Mortierella, Proteiniclasticum, Caloramator, and Shewanella. The main fungi in the leachates and soils were Lindtneria. Elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Hg were detected. The soil showed the most pronounced cytotoxic potential, with rates of 36.55%, 63.08%, and 100% for the A-549, Caco-2, and A-549 cell lines. Nine compounds were identified which may be responsible for this cytotoxic effect, including 2,4,8-trimethylquinoline, benzo(f)quinoline, and 1-(m-tolyl)isoquinoline. The microbiome included bacteria and fungi potentially metabolizing toxic compounds and pathogenic species.