DIAGNOSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN THE CONTROLLED LANDFILL AREA OF NEW VENETIA - ES

Objective: One of the main environmental problems of today's society concerns the final disposal of urban solid waste (MSW), and increasing the generation rates of this waste has become a high priority concern for both environmental preservation and human health. Inadequate final disposal leads to serious environmental impacts, including the risks of contamination of soil, subsoil, surface water and groundwater, even after decommissioning of inappropriate sites. The purpose of this research was to assess the level of degradation in the area around the Controlled Landfill of New Venetia. To do so, documentary, oral and bibliographical research was carried out on the area, technical visits, drawing up maps, applying the Quality Index of Waste Landfills (IQR) with adaptations directed to the reality of the landfill and finally, bacteriological analyzes of surface and underground water were carried out in the surroundings of the area. The application of the IQR resulted in a score of 5.15 and the non-existent or deficient aspects that caused this score were: soil waterproofing, plant protection, drainage and treatment of slurry, drainage of rainwater and gases, geotechnical and groundwater monitoring, presence of flies, birds and animals, occurrence of odors and proximity of bodies of water. The results of the bacteriological analyzes indicated a potential for microbiological contamination in the surface water resource downstream of the landfill, which may be linked to extensive livestock rearing, but may also indicate that the slurry


INTRODUCTION
The large and growing global generation of Solid Urban Waste (MSW), as well as the inadequate disposal of this waste, has become a high priority concern for both environmental preservation and human health, being one of the main environmental problems of today's society (NICHOLS & SMITH, 2019).
In this scenario, controlled landfills and landfills come onto the scene, which are considered by the Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning Companies and Special Residues (Abrelpe) as inadequate forms of final disposal of the MSW, lacking a set of systems and measures necessary to protect the environment against damage and degradation (Laporti, 2018).
According to Pereira (2007), the garbage dump areas create favorable conditions for the proliferation of disease-carrying animals.In addition, the degradation of the accumulated waste produces a liquid called slurry, which may contain toxic organic and inorganic substances that contaminate both soil and water (surface and groundwater).
In view of this, issues relating to pollution from solid waste are the subject of concerns and studies, as the problems caused by inadequate disposal do not simply cease with the closure of landfills and landfills.This is because, since the moment of the disposal of waste, the leachate continues to be generated by a process that lasts for decades and its migration through the soil is not interrupted (Carvalho, 2015).
According to the Municipal Plan for Integrated Management of Solid Waste (PMGIRS) of 2017, in New Veneto, the final destination of the MSW was in a controlled landfill, originating from a former landfill site that was set up in 1995.Meanwhile, according to information from the Municipal Environment Department (Semma), in 2019 the final disposal activities of RSU in the landfill were closed.
In the light of the above, it is a fact that the inadequate handling and final disposal of the MSW entails risks to human health and serious environmental impacts, including the risks of contamination of the soil, subsoil, surface water and groundwater of the region, even after the decommissioning of the inadequate sites, which may be an aggravating factor, if this is not carried out in an adequate manner, with planning and monitoring.
In view of this problem, the need arises for research and characterization of the final destination of this waste, justifying the research for which this work is intended, which had as its main objective to assess the level of environmental degradation in the area and surroundings of the Controlled Landfill of New Veneto, besides carrying out a documentary analysis of the history of the landfill, determining the Quality Index of Waste Landfills (IQR), assessing the bacteriological quality of surface and underground water in the surroundings of the controlled landfill, and examining the main environmental impacts associated with it.

THEORETICAL FRAME
Urban Solid Wastes (MSW) are those originating from household activities in urban dwellings (household waste) and those originating from sweeping, cleaning of public places and roads and other urban cleaning services (urban cleaning waste) (Sinir, 2023).
In Brazil, according to Abrelpe's "Solid Waste Panorama 2022", about 81.8 million tons of MSW were generated in 2022, resulting in an average of 1,043 kg/inhabitant/day.The situation of the management of this waste is worrying, mainly in relation to the final disposition, since 39% of the waste collected in the country is directed to the 1572 landfills or 595 existing controlled landfills, added to 7% that were not collected, inferring their destination also in inadequate places (Abrelpe, 2022;Snis, 2022).
This concern is based on the numerous impacts that the inadequate final provision can bring about, since the MSW can compromise the quality of the soil, water and air (Gouveia, 2012), through the generation of slurry and emission of gases.Furthermore, this inadequate destination generates visual pollution, property devaluation in the surroundings, the presence of precariously organized waste pickers and promotes the favoring of disease vectors (Lanza, 2009).
In view of this, the use of indices specifically for solid waste management is important as it serves as the basis for supervision by environmental bodies and subsidizes those responsible for adequacy, as well as assisting in the development and improvement of environmental pollution control mechanisms (Pereira & Curi, 2017;Biluca & Ribeiro, 2019).
The analysis with environmental management tools aiming at the qualification of the final disposal sites of waste by means of surveys and evaluations began in 1997, by the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb), through the creation of the Waste Landfill Quality Index (IQR), which since then has been used to evaluate annually the disposal of solid urban waste in the state of São Paulo (Santos, Haraguchi, & Leitão, 2012;Cetesb, 2022).
The IQR is an instrument whose methodology consists of the application of a standardized questionnaire, composed of indicators (parameters), which assess, with the attribution of notes, the structural, operational and rental characteristics of the landfill.At the end of the evaluation, the landfills receive a final grade that varies from zero to ten, classifying their conditions as inadequate (0.0 to 7.0) or adequate (7.1 to 10) (Cetesb, 2022).
With this same intention and methodology, also developed by Cetesb, we also have the Quality Index of Waste Landfill (IQR -Valas) and the Quality Index of Transshipment Stations (IQT), diverging from the IQR in relation to its purposes and some parameters of characterization.

METHODOLOGY
The development stage of the research, for characterization and study of the area of the controlled landfill of New Venetia, consisted of distinct phases, which encompassed documentary, oral and bibliographic research; technical visits to the site, preparation of maps, application of IQR, as well as bacteriological analysis of surface and underground water.

Bibliographic Review
Information was collected in academic works, scientific articles and journals, as well as documents, records, reports and technical studies carried out in the area, obtained together with Semma, forming a theoretical basis on the area in question, as well as the concepts associated with the themes necessary for the research.
Furthermore, the analysis and comparison of this various data and information resulted in the survey of the historical area of the current controlled landfill, originating from a former landfill that was implanted in 1995.

Data Collection and Map Making
In order to obtain and verify the physical characteristics of the area, to characterize it, maps have been made: location, satellite image, geological, vegetation, drainage, soil, geomorphologic, digital model of elevation, topographic, hypsometric and elevation profiles.

Determination of the Waste Landfill Quality Index (RQI)
Furthermore, aiming at the qualification and characterization of the area of the landfill and its possible impacts with greater coverage and description, as well as to highlight important items in the improvement of the landfill, the IQR was applied, together with sub-items of the IQR -Valas (because it is a controlled landfill with excavated cells) and IQT (due to the presence of the Transshipment Plant operating in the same area).As a result, some indicators have been deleted, modified or added to the original proposal.
Another adaptation was made in relation to the attribution of intermediate notes for partially attended parameters.
After the modifications and adaptations implemented to the questionnaire, the IQR was composed of five items, being "Support structure" and "Environmental protection structures", which describe the structural conditions of the landfill; "Operational aspects" and "Other information", which characterize the operational situation in the area and "Area characteristics", which describes its locational aspects.
Each of the parameters (sub-items) that make up the five cited items were analyzed and were given scores according to evaluation criteria found in the literature The data were collected by observations on the spot, registering them by means of photographs; interviews with the employees of the transshipment and sorting plants, as well as a survey of documentation and information on the landfill near to Semma and to the City Hall, mainly related to the history of the final destination of the solid waste in the area.In addition, physical characteristics were also consulted by means of maps, satellite images and information available in the database.

Bacteriological Analysis and Assessment of Groundwater and Surface Water
Bacteriological analyzes were carried out to assess the quality of surface and groundwater around the landfill, evaluating Total and Thermotolerant Colliforms.
Water samples for such analyzes were taken upstream for underground sites and downstream for surface sites.
As depicted in Figure 1, the surface water collection points were performed at 2 sites in the Cachoeirinha stream, one adjacent to the controlled landfill area (Point 01) and another a little further ahead, in a small earth dam downstream of the landfill (Point 02).The groundwater collection point corresponds to an artesian well located on a rural property adjacent to the landfill (Point 03), where the water is used for domestic consumption.The 3 samples were duly identified and packed in specific containers provided by the laboratory where the analyzes were carried out.It should be noted that at the time of each collection, the procedure was carried out for setting the container with the water to be collected.
The flasks with the samples were stored in a refrigerated thermal box with ice to avoid heating them during transport, thus avoiding possible alterations in later analyzes, and were sent to Laboratório Almeida, in São Gabriel da Palha, where the analyzes were carried out.
The values of coliforms analyzed in the surface water samples were compared with the data determined for class 3 waters by Resolution 357/2005 of the National Council for the Environment (Conama).The value for the sample of underground water, on the other hand, was compared with that dictated by Conama's Resolution 396/2008, as well as comparing it with the Ministry of Health's Ordinance nᵒ 2.914/2011.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The following are the results of the studies and analyzes carried out in the course of the research.

Area Characterization
The controlled landfill of New Venetia, as depicted in Figure 2, is in Rural Area, adjacent to Highway ES-220, with UTM E coordinates: 349.646N: 7.936.651and about 125.000 m 2 of area (Semma, 2014).This place received waste of all nature since the 80s, until in 1995 the area was bought by the city, implementing a landfill, which in the year 2005 began to be transformed into a controlled landfill, where the disposal of the waste was done in an excavated cell, carrying out only compaction and covering of the material with soil, but without actions aimed at waterproofing the soil or implanting of water drainage systems and collection and treatment of slurry and biogas, besides the presence of irregular scavengers in the place, since there was no formalization of them, being subject to risks, above all health itself (MPES, 2013a; 2013b; MPT-ES, 2014).
In view of this, between the years 2013 and 2015, Terms of Environmental Commitment (TCAs) of Solid Waste were concluded, from the municipality of New Venetia at the State Institute for Environment and Water Resources (Iema), the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT-ES) and the State Prosecutor's Office (MPES).
Through these TCAs, the municipality was tasked with implementing actions for regularization and mitigation of impacts of the landfill.However, it is noted that some items required in the TCAs were only partially met, while others were not fulfilled.
Only in the year 2019, the landfill in question ended its activities of disposal of MSW, and today, according to information of Semma, receives the deposition only of waste coming from tree pruning, whose destination would be composting, which is not carried out due technical problems in the picotadeira; and public cleaning (sweeping), which is arranged in a cell opened in 2017 for the purpose of receiving Civil Construction Waste (Semma, 2018).
Of the rest of the municipality's MSW, about 500 to 600 tons/month, 160 tons correspond to recyclable materials and about 440 tons to household waste, which is sent daily to a private landfill in Linhares, before the Jaguarense Transport and Terraplanagem company, which is responsible for transport and final destination since 2019.
To do so, the area of the landfill has an RSU transshipment station, which has been operating since 2018, where two containers with a capacity of up to 30m 3 each are housed, for temporary storage of waste.In addition, it also has, in operation since 1988, a sorting and composting plant, where the stages of separation of MSW take place, through the stages of unloading, segregation, transient packaging, pressing, inactive composting and shipping (Semma, 2015).
The climate of the study area, according to the Köppen and Geiger Climate Classification (1928) (Alvares, Stape, Sentelhas, Sparovek &, Gonçalves, 2014), is characterized as a tropical rainy climate (Aw), with dry season in winter and seasonally divided rainfall in two periods: a rainy season, from October to April, with a total of 872.8 mm, which corresponds to 84.8% of the annual cumulated total and a less rainy period between the months from May to September, with a total of 156,5 mm corresponding to 15,2% of the total (Incaper, 2022).
According to Incaper (2022), the climatic water balance, in turn, also shows two distinct epochs in relation to the storage of water in the soil.Between the months of February and October, the accumulated water deficiency is around 348 mm, with the largest deficit observed in May, with an average of 54 mm.From November until January, the increase in rainfall begins to bring about the replacement of water in the soil, but it is not sufficient to generate a surplus of water as a function of the deficiency accumulated throughout the year.
Geomorphologically, the area has a morphostructure of sedimentary deposits (Instituto Jones dos Santos Neves [IJSN], 2012), characterized by the occurrence of sandy sediments and clay with gravel levels, basically from the Barreiras Formation, besides having a wavy relief, with an altitude variation of around 30 meters, with the highest elevations (about 190 m) in the northwest portion and the lowest (about 160 m) represented by the occurrence of drainage, in the southeast portion of the area, where it is observed if you lean relatively steep.
Geologically it is characterized by the occurrence of the Barreiras Formation, which usually presents as a sub-horizontal sedimentary cover, consisting predominantly of conglomerate sandstone (Queiroga et al., 2012).
Coupled to this, in relation to the soil, there is the predominance of typical Dystrocohesive Yellow Latossolo, besides the Dystrocoesous Yellow Argissolo also be present (Cunha et al. 2016), which are developed from clay or sedimentary sandy-clay materials of the Barreiras Formation.
As regards vegetation, the area of the landfill has a Legal Reserve and a Permanent Preservation Area (APP), characterized by a remnant of native vegetation of the Atlantic Rain Forest in natural regeneration.In addition, technical visits have found the presence of grasses, mastic, castor and field sandstone (hedge) in the area of the landfill.
As for surface water resources, approximately 150 meters from the landfill, there is a drainage, and a source of it, called the Cachoeirinha stream, which feeds the Frigério stream, a tributary of the Santa Joana River, which, in turn, flows into the Cotaxé River, about 13 km from the landfill.
As for the hydrographic sub-basin of the area, Figure 3 shows the delimitation of the area (dashed blue line) in the area of the controlled landfill (yellow polygonal), in addition, it is possible to identify the existence of flow of the water table in the direction equivalent to the surface runoff of the land (Semma, 2014).
According to Boscov (2008), the contamination plume, a region contaminated by pollutants from the source, is formed from the moment that the contaminants infiltrate the soil and find the water level.At this moment, by the effect of a process known as hydrodynamic dispersion, there is the spreading of the pollutants along a path whose tendency for dissemination is downstream.
In addition, Wendland and Marin (2013) explain that the contamination plume follows the flow of groundwater, and the further away from the source of contamination, the concentration of contaminants decreases.
Thus, returning to the characteristics of the controlled landfill, it is expected that, in case of contamination arising from the decomposition of the waste and infiltration of the slurry, this will be preferably found downstream of the slope, where the Cachoeirinha stream is located.

Application and calculation of the RFI
The analysis of the landfill by means of the IQR made it possible to carry out a survey of the structural, operational and locational characteristics of the landfill, evaluating both the current state situation, and during its operation, as well as the evaluation of parameters and impacts of its surroundings.
Table 1 summarizes the scores assigned to each landfill characteristic evaluation subitem (parameter).After evaluation and scoring of each parameter; for the calculation of the RQI, as shown in equation 1, the subtotals referring to the structural, operational and rental characteristics of the landfill under study were added up.IQR = 24 + 25.5 + 2 = 5.15 10 Then the sum value was divided by ten, resulting in an index of 5.15; representative of a QRI classifying the landfill in an inadequate situation (Table 1).
(1) (2) Biluca and Ribeiro (2019) obtained a similar score of 5.2 when applying the IQR in the landfill of Francisco Beltrão (PR), in operation since 2001.On the other hand, when analyzing the work of Santos et al. (2012), who evaluated the also controlled landfill of the municipality of Anápolis (GO) through the application of the IQR, reaching the final note 8, and framing it in controlled operating conditions, it is possible to note some characteristics suitable or better implemented in relation to the same type of landfill in New Veneto.
In this regard, the highlight is the systems for draining and treating slurry, where the effluent is treated and subsequently released onto the cell of the landfill, so that it can speed up the process of the decomposition of the organic material, and the system for draining gases, in such a way that the elimination of the drained gas happens by burning it.Besides the waterproofing of the base, adequate covering of the garbage, absence of industrial waste discharges and separate disposal of the health ones.

Characterization of Environmental Impacts
With the implementation of the IQR, it was possible to obtain a better characterization and understanding of the area of the landfill, as well as of the environmental impacts present or likely.
In this regard, it is worth highlighting the fact that the landfill site does not have a soil sealing system, as well as systems for draining water, slurry and gas, leading to serious risks of contamination of the soil, subsoil, surface and underground waters of the region, especially in relation to the infiltration of the slurry produced.
The composition of the air in the landfill is also altered, mainly by the emission of gases originating from the decomposition of the waste, such as methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2).Such gases, besides contributing to the aggravation of the greenhouse effect, produce a strong and unpleasant odor and are flammable, as in the case of methane (Pagliuso & Regattieri, 2008).In addition, there is also emission of gases coming from the vehicles of collection and transport and from the tractors, used to compact and spread the residues throughout the area.
During the technical visits, the occurrence of denuding and erosive processes in the soil of the cells was also noticed, with erosion of the laminar type and grooves, but which can evolve to greater depths.
Both now and throughout its useful life, the landfill has brought about changes in the landscape and degradation of the flora, with the aggravation of being located adjacent to ES-220, generating a visual impact for the visitors and the people who live and transit through this stretch, besides also causing the devaluation of the surrounding area.
Another impact to be considered is about the fauna that, since the beginning of the depositing of waste in the area, undergoes alterations, mainly in the reduction of native species and proliferation of animals that find in the landfill a propitious environment, such as vultures, dogs, rats, cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes, often being vectors of diseases for other animals and human beings.
In view of this, the impacts and risks to the health of the waste pickers, who have worked in the landfill for years, and of the employees today operating in the sorting and transshipment plant, highlighting the necessity and importance of the use of PPE, since they are subject to direct contamination, either by the transmitting vectors of diseases, or by the percolation of the slurry, or by the waste itself (such as chemical products and sharp perforation materials).

Bacteriological Evaluation of Surface and Groundwater Quality
In relation to water intended for human consumption, groundwater in this case, both Order 2914/11 and Resolution Conama 396/2008 establish the absence of thermotolerant coliforms in 100mL.In view of this, the water collected in the well upstream of the landfill falls within the definition of drinking water, as the results indicate that there are no such coliforms in the sample from point 03.
For surface waters, the values of thermotolerant coliforms permitted by Conama Resolution 357/2005 for Class 3 fresh waters are up to 2500 NMP/100mL.Thus, the results indicate that the water samples collected at points 01 and 02, whose values were respectively 40,000 CFU/100mL and 30,000 CFU/100mL, are far above the resolution allowed.
The results obtained from both thermotolerant coliforms and total coliforms indicate a microbiological pollution of the water, and the implications for these high values may be linked to extensive livestock farming in the vicinity of collection points, which are also used for the desiccation of these animals, as well as the presence of numerous vultures, attracted by the waste from the landfill.
Furthermore, they may also be an indication that the landfill controlled, by means of its contamination plume, is influencing the quality of the water of the Cachoeirinha stream, since at point 01, closest to the landfill, the values were higher.Furthermore, according to hydrological studies of the area of the landfill, it was found that, if there was contamination arising from the leachate infiltration, this would be evident on the path downstream of the landfill, following the surface and underground runoff, towards the Cachoeirinha stream.
Furthermore, the presence of fecal and total coliforms in bodies of water located in the vicinity of controlled dumps and landfills, indicating a potential for microbiological contamination, was also observed by other authors, such as Beli et al. (2005), and Sisinno and Moreira (1996).

CONCLUSION
Considering the application of the IQR and based on the value obtained of 5.15 points, the Nova Venezia/ES landfill site presented inadequate operating conditions, both historical and current, mainly due to the following aspects: soil sealing, plant protection, drainage and treatment of gases and slurry, drainage of rainwater, geotechnical and groundwater monitoring, presence of flies, birds and animals, occurrence of odors and proximity of bodies of water.
The parameters scored and assessed in the RQI should be used as a basis for reflections and analysis on aspects necessary for the proper implementation of new MSW end-use systems, as well as for their decommissioning and recovery.In addition, it also supports the study of improvements that can be made in the area of the controlled landfill of New Venetia, to adapt and reduce the impacts and environmental risks of the area.
The sample of groundwater analyzed, obtained in an artesian well downstream of the landfill, was shown to be in line with Conama resolution 396/2008 and Ordinance nᵒ 2.914/2011, for having no thermotolerant coliforms.

14
The results of total and thermotolerant coliforms from samples 01 and 02 indicated a potential for microbiological contamination in the surface water resource downstream of the area of the controlled New Veneto landfill.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Location map of water sampling points.Source: Prepared by the authors (2023).

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Map of location of study area.Source: Prepared by the authors (2022).