An Assessment of the Microbiological, Biochemical, and Physicochemical Properties of the Soil Around an Illegal Landfill Site in Central Poland, Central Europe

Illegal landfills should be continuously monitored to avoid such risks and become part of an environmental risk management strategy. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of an illegal landfill on the microbiological, biochemical, and physicochemical status of the soil as a function of land use and the distance of soil c ollection around the landfill. The study area from which the soil samples were taken was an illegal landfill in central Poland (Central Europe). The impact of the illegal landfill on the condition of the soil was assessed on the basis of the microbiological and biochemical indicators and the physicochemical properties of the soil. It was found that the illegal landfill significantly affects the soil environment, which was confirmed by the values of microbiological, biochemical, and physicochemical soil properties. The factors that affected the soil properties were the type of land use and the distance of the soil samples from the landfill, which significantly affected the microbiological and biochemical properties of the soil. Microbiological, biochemical, and physicochemical indicators of the soil in the vicinity of an illegal landfill can be very useful in predicting risks to the environment and human health. The studies presented can be used for planning sustainable waste management.