Characterizing landfill leachate migration potential of a semi-arid duplex soil

Leachate migration from open landfills is an environmental concern of developing cities. This study investigated the base soil-profile pedo-physical and chemical properties of the South African Sepane soil form or referred to as Cutanic Luvisol at the Bloemfontein southern landfill under the Mangaung municipality in the Free State Province. Six soil-profiles pedo-physical, exchangeable-cations and heavy metals concentrations were characterized from in-situ, core and loose soil-samples. The DTPA Test from a 5g air-dried soil extracted heavy metals. The soil profile was characterized by a layered Orthic-A, pedocutanic B- and C-horizons with lower horizons containing mean-total clay of 72%, bulk-density (≥1.5 gcm(−3)) and saturated hydraulic-conductivity (Ks < 6mmhr(-1)). Mean soil pH increased with depth from 6.4 to 6.8 along-side exchangeable-cations ranging from 19 to 2573 mgkg(-1) in the order Ca > Mg > K > Na > S > P and Ca > Mg > Na > K > S > P for the respective A- and B-horizons. The Mg/K and (Ca + Mg)/K exceeded norm ratios. Soil-profile horizons had respective 44%, 34% and 22% heavy-metal distribution with mean content range of 0.001–37.3 mgkg(-1) in the order Mn > Fe > Cr > Zn > Cu > As > Pb > Ni > Cd and Fe > Mn > Cr > Cu > As > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cd for the surface and subsurface horizons, respectively. Heavy-metal mean concentrations were below the norm except for Cr that was higher than 150% from upper horizons and posed serious risk to the near-surface environment. Soil profiles heavy-metal content and pollution-index was unpolluted (0.3–0.4), decreased with depth and reflected no subsurface pollution concerns. This study findings highlighted low internal-migration potential of clay soils and the need for understanding the sources and mode of migration of Cr at the landfill alongside continued monitoring.