Environmental Impact of E-waste on Biotic and Abiotic Parameters

Abstract

The exponential increase of electronic waste (e-waste) caused by rapid technological change is now a global environmental issue, particularly in urban informal economies, as lamented in Seelampur, Delhi. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of e-waste on biotic and abiotic parameters, specifically in assessing for heavy metal contamination in soil, groundwater, plants, microorganisms, and smaller fauna. Employing mixed-method methodologies, the research employed a stratified random sampling technique throughout six sites, followed by collection and analysis of soil and groundwater samples utilizing ICP-MS, as well as assessments of microbial diversity, plant uptake, and accumulation in animals. In terms of quantitative findings, the concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium were extremely alarming and generally exceeded WHO and permissible limits, with statistically significant differences in spatial exposures. The biological assessments based on soil microbial diversity revealed greatly reduced diversity, signs of plant-induced stress and bioaccumulation in invertebrates. Occupational Health records also indicated high levels of harmful exposures to e-waste workers. The study concludes that informal e-waste recycling practices are very damaging to ecosystem health and population health and that there is an urgent need to provide good environment practice through environmental regulations, measures to bring awareness to the issue and sustain approaches to mitigate long-term environmental degradation and negative public health outcomes.