Pollution Assessment on E-Waste Contaminated Soil in Sri Lanka

Abstract

E-waste is a generic term for numerous types of obsolete electrical and electronic equipment that have been carelessly dumped. Along with technological development, e-waste has become an emerging environmental problem in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka. Narammala is one of the main areas in Sri Lanka where e-waste collection has been done as a source of income. The soil is polluted due to improper e-waste management practices in this area. The objective of the present study was to identify the main e-waste generation sites, explore the impact of e-waste on soil, and propose a solution for a proper e-waste management strategy. The study focused on Ginigathpitiya and Koulwewa villages in the North Western Province and a questionnaire survey was performed to identify major e-waste generation sites. Heavy metal concentrations in 20 soil samples within 200m distance from major e-waste generation sites were collected by using stratified random sampling method. This Study found that top soil from one major e-waste generating site in Ginigathpitiya was contaminated with Cu (1.89 - 67.56 mg/kg), Zn (2.05 - 24.27 mg/kg), Cd (0.05- 1.70 mg/kg), Pb (0 - 14.96 mg/kg), Cr (0.44 -1.71) and Ni (0.09 - 5.09 mg/kg) while another one major e-waste generating site in Koulwela was contaminated with Cu (0.62 - 110.16 mg/kg), Zn (0.76 - 56.66 mg/kg), Pb (0.24 - 64.50 mg/kg), Cd (-3.17 – 1.84 mg/kg), Cr (0.49 - 4.37 mg/kg) and Ni (0.14 - 4.12 mg/kg). Two sample T-Test revealed different distribution pattern of Cu(-1.23),Zn(- 0.15),Pb(-2.28), and Cd(-1.05) in both villages. Nevertheless, a significant level of high heavy metal concentrations indicates high soil pollution occurred in Koulwewa. The metal levels can be minimized by encouraging e-waste collectors to adopt proper e-waste management practices. In addition, conducting awareness campaigns and updating the existing regulations and policies are also recommended.