Assessment of Landfill Leachate Effects on Heavy Metals Contamination in Water and Sediments of Garan River, Marivan County, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Borhan Ahamdi 1
B. Shahmoradi 2
Hady Mohammadi 3
Hamzeh Salehzadeh 4
Bayazid Ghaderi 3
P. Yonesi 1
1 Student Research Committee, Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
2 AI in Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
3 Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
4 Environmental Health Research Center, Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
10.22034/ehpr.2026.577269.1013
Abstract
This study assessed heavy metal contamination in the Garan River's water and sediments to evaluate the impact of landfill leachate. Pollution levels and ecological risks were quantified using established indices: contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and potential ecological risk index (PERI). Spatially, peak dissolved metal concentrations in water occurred at points S1 and S4, while maximum sediment concentrations were found at S3, directly downstream of the leachate outfall. Water quality analysis indicated that arsenic posed both acute and chronic human health risks at all stations, and chromium posed an acute risk at all stations. Sediment assessment revealed that barium, nickel, and mercury consistently exceeded the threshold effect concentration (TEC). Furthermore, nickel and mercury surpassed the probable effect concentration (PEC) at 100% and 85.71% of stations, respectively, signaling a significant potential for adverse effects on aquatic life. Index analysis showed higher CF values in sediments than in water. The PLI trend increased in sediments but decreased in water, whereas EF was higher in water and spatially stable. The average Igeo for all metals remained below zero, classifying the area as unpolluted. The PERI indicated medium ecological risk in sediments only at stations S3, S6, and S8. While the collective indices suggest that severe, widespread pollution is not present, the identified contamination hotspots and specific risks from metals like arsenic, nickel, and mercury warrant vigilant attention. Consequently, periodic monitoring of leachate-derived metals and proactive preventive measures are critically recommended to preserve aquatic ecosystem quality.

Graphical Abstract

Assessment of Landfill Leachate Effects on Heavy Metals Contamination in Water and Sediments of Garan River, Marivan County, Iran

Highlights

*   Leachate contamination elevates Ba, Ni, and Hg in river sediments above safety thresholds.

*   Arsenic in water poses acute and chronic human health risks at all sampling stations.

*   Pollution indices confirm higher heavy metal accumulation in sediments than in the water column.

*   Geoaccumulation index classifies the area as unpolluted despite localized contamination hotspots.

*   Medium ecological risk from metals is identified in sediments at three downstream locations.

Keywords
Heavy metals
Garan River
Pollution Indices
Sediment
Water
Subjects
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Environmental Health and Pollution Research
Volume 1, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 54-67

  • Receive Date 22 February 2026
  • Accept Date 13 June 2026
  • First Publish Date 13 June 2026
  • Publish Date 01 April 2026