Geotechnical and Index Properties of Soils Contaminated by Landfill Leachates from Erbil and Shaqlawa

Volume 12 ,Issue 3 ,August 2026 ,Pages 268-278

Authors

Zainab Dler 1 ; Yousif Ismael Mawlood 1

1 College of Engineering, University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI logo 10.17656/sjes.10228

Keywords

Abstract

Leachate from waste disposal can significantly alter the geotechnical properties of adjacent soils. Although urban expansion in the Kurdistan region has been rapid, research on local leachate chemistry and its effects on the geotechnical characteristics of regional soils remains limited. This paper examines the impact of landfill leachates from Erbil and Shaqlawa on the geotechnical properties (permeability, Atterberg limits, and compressibility) of clayey soils sourced locally from Kani Qirzhala, Erbil, Iraq. The experimental results reveal that leachate exposure increases the soil's liquid and plastic limits and decreases permeability, compressibility, and swelling potential. The Shaqlawa leachate showed more pronounced changes than the Erbil leachate, implying that the former leachate has a more pronounced chemical composition. Based on these results, landfill leachate has the potential to considerably alter soil characteristics, and its presence should be accounted for in landfill design, settlement measurement, and environmental safety ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌analysis. 

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  • First online14 August 2026
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