Phytotoxicity assessment in agricultural lands adjacent to the former landfill (Al-Bassa)

Abstract

Phytotoxicity is a vital and important tool for assessing the environmental impact of waste landfill sites on adjacent agricultural land. This research, conducted on October 22, 2024, aimed to assess the level of phytotoxicity in agricultural soil adjacent to the Al-Bassa landfill. This toxicity resulted from soil contamination with organic and inorganic pollutants from solid waste landfills. The research relied on simple and reliable bioassays using (Raphanus sativus) as an indicator. The growth and mass of the root and shoot systems were measured in soil samples taken from two points (near and far from the landfill) at two different depths. The results showed a clear inverse relationship between proximity to the landfill and all studied plant growth indicators, confirming that the landfill is the primary source of pollution. Roots exhibited the highest degree of response to pollutants compared to the other studied growth indicators, with a sharp decline recorded in the samples closest to the landfill. The results also indicated that the surface layer (0-30 cm) was the most affected, with pollutants seeping into deeper layers. The study demonstrates that the phytotoxicity indicator is an effective tool for monitoring environmental degradation and recommends halting agricultural activities in the affected areas and adopting sustainable environmental rehabilitation strategies. Such as herbal medicine.