Nature-based Solutions for the Mitigation of Emerging Pollutants in Landfill Leachate

The discharge of liquids and semi-liquids into the ground environment by designed waste disposal systems, known as landfill leachate, poses a significant environmental risk to human health and ecosystems due to its ability to contaminate soil and groundwater. The most hazardous leftovers of such leachate fall into four primary categories: soluble organic materials, inorganic components, heavy metals, and xenobiotic organic chemicals. Emerging contaminants (ECs) are substances now known to be widely dispersed throughout the environment and hazardous to human health or the environment. Often, these issues are not sufficiently addressed by traditional therapeutic modalities. Nature-based solution (NBS) is an umbrella concept that can be used to capture nature-based, cost-effective, and eco-friendly treatment technologies and redevelopment strategies that are socially inclusive, economically viable, and have good public acceptance. Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer promising alternatives by harnessing natural processes and ecosystems to mitigate the impacts of landfill leachate. Techniques such as constructed wetlands, phytoremediation, biofiltration, and bioremediation stand out as effective methods for mitigating pollutant levels and leveraging the power of vegetation and microbial communities to filter and break down contaminants. NBS reduces pollutants and provides other benefits, including habitat development, biodiversity promotion, and aesthetic enhancement. More research and widespread use of NBS are promising for enhancing leachate management strategies and protecting ecological integrity for future generations.