Micrometeorological measurements of methane and carbon dioxide fluxes at a municipal landfill

Continuous and area-integrating monitoring of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions was performed for 6 and 9 months, respectively, at a municipal landfill in Finland with the micrometeorological eddy covariance (EC) method. The mean CH4 emission from June to December was 0.53 mg m(-2) s(-1), while the CO2 emission between February and December averaged 1.78 mg m(-2) s(-1). The CH4 emissions from the summit area of the landfill, where active waste deposition was going on, were 1.7 times as high as from the slope area with a better surface cover. The variation in emissions over the source area of the measurement was high. Significant seasonal variation, linked to air and soil temperature, was only seen in the CO2 release rates. Results obtained with the EC method were comparable to those measured with closed static chambers. According to the EC measurements, the gas recovery system decreased CH4 fluxes by 69-79%. The ratio of the measured CH4 and CO2 emissions roughly indicated the route of the landfill gas emission, resembling the ratio of the gases measured in the gas wells (1.24) when the emission originated from the area with no oxidizing cover layer and being smaller when CH4 oxidation had taken place.     

Comparative oxidation and net emissions of methane and selected non-methane organic compounds in landfill cover soils

The surface emissions of methane (CH4) and non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) were determined at two different areas at a French landfill: a permanently covered and fully vegetated area (40 cm coarse sand + 80 cm of loam) and a temporarily covered area (40 cm of coarse sand). The 37 NMOCs quantified in the landfill gas samples included alkanes (C1-C10), alkenes (C1-C4), halogenated hydrocarbons (including (H)CFCs), and aromatic hydrocarbons. Both positive and negative CH4 fluxes ranging from -0.01 to 0.008 g m(-2) d(-1) were measured from the permanently covered cell. However, high spatial variation was observed, and a hot spot with a high flux (10 g m(-2) d(-1)) was identified. A higher CH4 emission occurred from the temporarily covered cell (CH4 flux of 49.9 g m(-2) d(-1)) as compared to the permanently covered cell. The NMOC fluxes from the permanently covered zone were all very small with both positive and negative fluxes in the order of 10(-7) to 10(-5) g m(-2) d(-1). Higher and mainly positive NMOC fluxes in the order of 10(-5) to 10(-4) g m(-2) d(-1) were obtained from the temporarily covered zone. The lower emission from the permanently covered and fully vegetated cell was attributable to the thicker soil layer, which functions as microbial habitat for methanotrophic bacteria. The NMOC oxidation capacity was investigated in soil microcosms incubated with CH4. Maximal oxidation rates for the halogenated aliphatic compounds varied between 0.06 and 8.56 microg (g of soil)(-1) d(-1). Fully substituted hydrocarbons (tetrachloromethane, perchloroethylene, CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113) were not degraded in the presence of CH4 and O2. Benzene and toluene were rapidly degraded, giving very high maximal oxidation rates (28 and 39 microg (g of soil)(-1) d(-1)). On the basis of the emission measurements and the batch experiments conducted, a general pattern was observed between emissions and biodegradability of various NMOCs. The emissions mainly consisted of compounds that were not degradable or slowly degradable, while an uptake of easily degradable compounds was registered. As an example, perchloroethylene, trichloromethane, CFC-11, and CFC-12 were emitted, while atmospheric consumption of aromatic hydrocarbons and lower chlorinated hydrocarbons such as vinyl chloride, dichloromethane, and chloromethane was observed. This study demonstrates that landfill soil covers show a significant potential for CH4 oxidation and co-oxidation of NMOCs. Under certain conditions, landfills may even function as sinks for CH4 and selected NMOCs, like aromatic hydrocarbons and lower chlorinated compounds.     

Release of trace organic compounds during the decomposition of municipal solid waste components

Landfill gas contains numerous speciated organic compounds (SOCs) including alkanes, aromatics, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, terpenes, chlorofluoro compounds, and siloxanes. The source, rate and extent of release of these compounds are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the release of SOCs and the regulated parameter, non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) during the decomposition of residential refuse and its major biodegradable components [paper (P), yard waste (YW), food waste (FW)]. Work was conducted under anaerobic conditions in 8-L reactors operated to maximize decomposition. Refuse and YW were also tested under aerobic conditions. NMOC release during anaerobic decomposition of refuse, P, YW, and FW was 0.151, 0.016, 0.038, and 0.221 mg-C dry g(-1), respectively, while release during aerobic decomposition of refuse and YW was 0.282 and 0.236 mg-C dry g(-1), respectively. The highest NMOC release was measured under abiotic conditions (3.01 mg-C dry g(-1)), suggesting the importance of gas stripping. NMOC release was faster than CH4 production in all treatments. Terpenes and ketones accounted for 32-96% of SOC release in each treatment, while volatile fatty acids were not a significant contributor. Release in aerobic systems points to the potential importance of composting plants as an emissions source.     

On the sources of methane to the los angeles atmosphere

We use historical and new atmospheric trace gas observations to refine the estimated source of methane (CH(4)) emitted into California's South Coast Air Basin (the larger Los Angeles metropolitan region). Referenced to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) CO emissions inventory, total CH(4) emissions are 0.44 ± 0.15 Tg each year. To investigate the possible contribution of fossil fuel emissions, we use ambient air observations of methane (CH(4)), ethane (C(2)H(6)), and carbon monoxide (CO), together with measured C(2)H(6) to CH(4) enhancement ratios in the Los Angeles natural gas supply. The observed atmospheric C(2)H(6) to CH(4) ratio during the ARCTAS (2008) and CalNex (2010) aircraft campaigns is similar to the ratio of these gases in the natural gas supplied to the basin during both these campaigns. Thus, at the upper limit (assuming that the only major source of atmospheric C(2)H(6) is fugitive emissions from the natural gas infrastructure) these data are consistent with the attribution of most (0.39 ± 0.15 Tg yr(-1)) of the excess CH(4) in the basin to uncombusted losses from the natural gas system (approximately 2.5-6% of natural gas delivered to basin customers). However, there are other sources of C(2)H(6) in the region. In particular, emissions of C(2)H(6) (and CH(4)) from natural gas seeps as well as those associated with petroleum production, both of which are poorly known, will reduce the inferred contribution of the natural gas infrastructure to the total CH(4) emissions, potentially significantly. This study highlights both the value and challenges associated with the use of ethane as a tracer for fugitive emissions from the natural gas production and distribution system.     

Landfill methane oxidation across climate types in the U.S

Methane oxidation in landfill covers was determined by stable isotope analyses over 37 seasonal sampling events at 20 landfills with intermediate covers over four years. Values were calculated two ways: by assuming no isotopic fractionation during gas transport, which produces a conservative or minimum estimate, and by assuming limited isotopic fractionation with gas transport producing a higher estimate. Thus bracketed, the best assessment of mean oxidation within the soil covers from chamber captured emitted CH(4) was 37.5 ± 3.5%. The fraction of CH(4) oxidized refers to the fraction of CH(4) delivered to the base of the cover that was oxidized to CO(2) and partitioned to microbial biomass instead of being emitted to the atmosphere as CH(4) expressed as a percentage. Air samples were also collected at the surface of the landfill, and represent CH(4) from soil, from leaking infrastructure, and from cover defects. A similar assessment of this data set yields 36.1 ± 7.2% oxidation. Landfills in five climate types were investigated. The fraction oxidized in arid sites was significantly greater than oxidation in mediterranean sites, or cool and warm continental sites. Sub tropical sites had significantly lower CH(4) oxidation than the other types of sites. This relationship may be explained by the observed inverse relationship between cover loading and fractional CH(4) oxidation.     

Methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions from septic tank systems

Emissions of CH4, CO2, and N2O from conventional septic tank systems are known to occur, but there is a dearth of information as to the extent. Mass emission rates of CH4, CO2, and N2O, as measured with a modified flux chamber approach in eight septic tank systems, were determined to be 11, 33.3, and 0.005 g capita(-1) day(-1), respectively, in this research. Existing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission models based on BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) loading have estimated methane emissions to be as high as 27.1 g CH4 capita(-1) day(-1), more than twice the value measured in our study, and concluded that septic tanks are potentially significant sources of GHGs due to the large number of systems currently in use. Based on the measured CH4 emission value, a revised CH4 conversion factor of 0.22 (compared to 0.5) for use in the emissions models is suggested. Emission rates of CH4, CO2, and N2O were also determined from measurements of gas concentrations and flow rates in the septic vent system and were found to be 10.7, 335, and 0.2 g capita(-1)day(-1), respectively. The excellent agreement in the CH4 emission rates between the flux chamber and the vent values indicates the dominant CH4 source is the septic tank.     

A 700 year sediment record of black carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near the EMEP air monitoring station in Aspvreten, Sweden

In view of poor constraints on historical combustion emissions, past environmental loadings of black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were reconstructed from dated lake sediment cores collected 70 km south of Stockholm, Sweden. Compared to several dramatic variations over the recent 150 years, the preindustrial loading were steady within +/-50% through the entire medieval with BC fluxes of 0.071 g m(-2) yr(-1) and PAH fluxes of 6 microg m(-2) yr(-1). In the wood-burning dominated century leading up to the industrial revolution around 1850, increasing BC fluxes were leading PAH fluxes. BC fluxes reached their millennial-scale maximum around 1920, whereas PAH fluxes increased exponentially to its record maximum around 1960, 50-fold above preindustrial values. For 1920-1950, BC fluxes consistently decreased as PAH fluxes kept increasing. Coal and coke represented >50% of the Swedish energy market in the 1930s. Combined with sharply decreasing (1,7-)/(1,7-+2,6-dimethylphenanthrene), indicative of diminishing wood combustion, and decreasing methylphenanthrenes/phenanthrene, indicative of higher-temperature combustion (coal instead of wood), the sediment archive suggests that the relative BC/PAH emission factors thus are lower for coal than for wood combustion. For the first time, both BC and PAH fluxes decreased after 1960. This trend break is a testament to the positive effects of decreasing reliance on petroleum fuels and a number of legislative actions aimed at curbing emissions and by 1990, the loading of BC was back at preindustrial levels, whereas that of PAH were the lowest since the 1910s. However, for the most recent period (1990-2004) the BC and PAH fluxes are no longer decreasing, putatively reflecting a slight increase in diesel consumption and a doubling of softwood-pellet burners for home heating.     

Influence of agricultural biomass burning on aerosol size distribution and dry deposition in southeastern Brazil

The size distributed composition of ambient aerosols is used to explore seasonal differences in particle chemistry and to show that dry deposition fluxes of soluble species, including important plant nutrients, increase during periods of biomass (sugar cane trash) burning in S?o Paulo State, Brazil. Measurements were made at a single site centrally located in the State's sugar cane growing region but away from the immediate vicinity of burns, so that the airsampled was representative of the regional background. Calculation of ion equivalent balances showed that during burning periods smaller particles (Aitken and accumulation modes) were more acidic, containing higher concentrations of SO4(2-), oxalate, NO3-, HCOO-, CH3COO-, and CI-, but insufficient NH4+ and K+ to achieve neutrality. Larger particles showed an anion deficit due to the presence of unmeasured ions and comprised resuspended dusts modified by accumulation of nitrate, chloride, and organic anions. Increases of resuspended particles during the burning season were attributed to release of earlier deposits from the surfaces of burning vegetation as well as increased vehicle movement on unsurfaced roads. During winter months the relative contribution of combined emissions from road transport and industry diminished due to increased emissions from biomass combustion and other activities specifically associated with the harvest period. Positive increments in annual particulate dry deposition fluxes due to higher fluxes during the sugar cane harvest were 44.3% (NH4+), 42.1% (K+), 31.8% (Mg2+), 30.4% (HCOO-), 12.8% (CI-), 6.6% (CH3COO-), 5.2% (Ca2+), 3.8% (SO4(2-)), and 2.3% (NO3-). Na+ and oxalate fluxes were seasonally invariant. Annual aerosol dry deposition fluxes (kg ha(-1)) were 0.5 (Na+), 0.25 (NH4+), 0.39 (K+), 0.51 (Mg2+), 3.19 (Ca2+), 1.34 (Cl-), 4.47 (NO3-), 3.59 (SO4(2-)), 0.58 (oxalate), 0.71 (HCOO-), and 1.38 (CH3COO-). Contributions of this mechanism to combined aerosol dry deposition and precipitation scavenging (inorganic species, excluding gaseous dry deposition) were 31% (Na+), 8% (NH4+), 26% (K+), 63% (Mg2+), 66% (Ca2+), 32% (Cl-), 33% (NO3-), and 36% (SO4(2-)).     

Measurements of methane emissions from landfills using a time correlation tracer method based on FTIR absorption spectroscopy

Methane is an important climate gas contributing significantly to global warming. A large part of the anthropogenic emissions of methane comes from landfills. Due to the biogenic origin of these emissions and the inhomogeneous characteristics of landfills and their soil cover, these emissions show large spatial variation. Thus, development of reliable and cost-effective methods for measurements of these emissions is an important task and a challenge to the scientific community. Traditionally, field chamber methods have been used but also different area integrating methods based on downwind plume measurements. These measurements have been supported by meteorological data either directly from local measurements or by controlled release of tracer gas from the landfill providing the dispersion characteristics of the plume. In this paperwe describe a method,the Time Correlation Tracer method, combining controlled tracer gas release from the landfill with time-resolved concentration measurements downwind the landfill using FTIR absorption spectroscopy. The method has been tested and used on measurements at a landfill in southern Sweden over the past 1.5 years. The method has proven to be a usable method for measurements of total methane emission from landfills, and under favorable meteorological conditions we estimate an achievable accuracy of 15-30%. The real time analysis capability of the FTIR makes it possible to judge the success of the measurement already on site and to decide whether more measurements are necessary. The measurement strategy is relatively simple and straightforward, and one person can make a measurement from a medium sized landfill (1-4 ha) within a few days to a week depending on the meteorological situation.     

Methane oxidation in Swedish landfills quantified with the stable carbon isotope technique in combination with an optical method for emitted methane

Methane budgets (production = emissions + oxidation + recovery) were estimated for six landfill sites in Sweden. Methane oxidation was measured in downwind plumes with a stable isotope technique (Chanton, J. P., et al., Environ. Sci Technol. 1999, 33, 3755-3760.) Positions in plumes for isotope sampling as well as methane emissions were determined with an optical instrument (Fourier Transform InfraRed) in combination with N20 as tracer gas (Galle, B., et al., Environ. Sci Technol. 2001, 35, 21-25.) Two landfills had been closed for years prior to the measurements, while four were active. Measurements at comparable soil temperatures showed that the two closed landfills had a significantly higher fraction of oxidized methane (38-42% of emission) relative to the four active landfills (4.6-15% of emission). These results highlight the importance of installing and maintaining effective landfill covers and also indicate that substantial amounts of methane escape from active landfills. Based on these results we recommend that the IPCC default values for methane oxidation in managed landfills could be set to 10% for active sites and 20% for closed sites. Gas recovery was found to be highly variable at the different sites, with values from 14% up to 65% of total methane production. The variance can be attributed to different waste management practices.     

Methane emissions from vehicles

Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles. We report results of a laboratory study of methane emissions using a standard driving cycle for 30 different cars and trucks (1995-1999 model years) from four different manufacturers. We recommend the use of an average emission factor for the U.S. on-road vehicle fleet of (g of CH/g of CO2) = (15 +/- 4) x 10(-5) and estimate that the global vehicle fleet emits 0.45 +/- 0.12 Tg of CH4 yr(-1) (0.34 +/- 0.09 Tg of C yr(-1)), which represents < 0.2% of anthropogenic CH4 emissions. This estimate includes the effects of vehicle aging, cold start, and hot running emissions. The contribution of CH4 emissions from vehicles to radiative forcing of climate change is 0.3-0.4% of that of CO2 emissions from vehicles. The environmental impact of CH4 emissions from vehicles is negligible and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.     

Changes in landfill gas quality as a result of controlled air injection

Air addition has been proposed as a technique for rapid stabilization of municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills. The objective of this study was to observe the change in concentration of trace constituents of landfill gas in response to air addition. Air injection tests were conducted at a MSW landfill in Florida, and the concentrations of several gaseous constituents at adjacent wells within the waste were measured. The concentrations of methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, as well as several trace constituents, were measured both prior to and during air addition. The trace components investigated included a suite of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrous oxide (N20), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). A significant increase in CO was observed in 9 of 14 monitoring points; overall, CO concentrations were found to increase as the ratio of CH4 to CO2 decreased. A significant decrease in H2S was observed at 6 of 14 monitoring points. Air injection did not have a noticeable affect on VOC or N2O concentrations compared to initial levels.     

Comparison between the predicted fate of organic compounds in landfills and the actual emissions

Emissions of organic compounds from landfills depend on the fate of the compounds inside the landfills. This field study was used to investigate the fate in landfills of organic compounds having different physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. For this purpose, a pilot-scale landfill was constructed containing 540 m3 of ordinary household waste, 12 organic compounds were added at the top of the landfill, and leachate and landfill gas samples were continually collected and analyzed. The fate of each compound was theoretically estimated from literature data on the processes which significantly affect the compounds: sorption, dissociation, evaporation, and transformation. These processes could be described by the octanol/water coefficients, Kow, the acid dissociation constants, pKa, the Henry's law constants, H, and the potential of the compounds to be biologically transformed. The use of a ranking score system was suggested as a tool for interpreting the predicted fate of specific compounds caused by several simultaneous processes. A good correlation could be found between the measured emissions and the theoretically evaluated fate. It was concluded that the construction of a pilot-scale landfill is a useful method for studying simultaneous processes in landfills and that the emissions of organic compounds from landfills can be qualitatively predicted from literature data.     

Field application of partitioning gas tracer test for measuring water in a bioreactor landfill

Two field-scale partitioning gas tracer tests (PGTTs) were performed to evaluate the utility of the PGTT method for measuring water saturation and moisture content in a full-scale bioreactor landfill, where waste biodegradation resulted in elevated temperatures and significant landfill gas production. The average water saturation and moisture content were measured for waste volumes of approximately 20 m(3) and results were compared to gravimetric measurement of moisture content made on samples collected from the landfill. In the center of the landfill, the moisture content estimated from the PGTT was Mc = 0.26 +/-0.03, which was nearly identical to the gravimetric measurement of waste samples taken from the same region (Mc = 0.28). PGTT-estimated moisture contents in a dry area of the landfill were much smaller (Mc = 0.10+/-0.01) and consistent with available gravimetric measurements. Biodegradation of tracers and temporal variations in landfill gas production were minimal and did not influence the tests. These field experiments demonstrate the utility of the PGTT method for measuring water saturation and estimating moisture content in bioreactor landfills with active waste degradation and generation of landfill gases. However, use of the PGTT to estimate the in situ moisture content requires estimates of the refuse porosity, dry bulk density, and temperature, which might limit its application.     

Effect of bark beetle infestation on secondary organic aerosol precursor emissions

Bark beetles are a potentially destructive force in forest ecosystems; however, it is not known how insect attacks affect the atmosphere. The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled i.) from bark beetle infested and healthy lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) trees and ii.) from sites with and without active mountain pine beetle infestation. The emissions from the trunk and the canopy were collected via sorbent traps. After collection, the sorbent traps were extracted with hexane, and the extracts were separated and detected using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Canister samples were also collected and analyzed by a multicolumn gas chromatographic system. The samples from bark beetle infested lodgepole pine trees suggest a 5- to 20-fold enhancement in total VOCs emissions. Furthermore, increases in the β-phellandrene emissions correlated with bark beetle infestation. A shift in the type and the quantity of VOC emissions can be used to identify bark beetle infestation but, more importantly, can lead to increases in secondary organic aerosol from these forests as potent SOA precursors are produced.     

Spatial heterogeneity of methane ebullition in a large tropical reservoir

Tropical reservoirs have been identified as important methane (CH(4)) sources to the atmosphere, primarily through turbine and downstream degassing. However, the importance of ebullition (gas bubbling) remains unclear. We hypothesized that ebullition is a disproportionately large CH(4) source from reservoirs with dendritic littoral zones because of ebullition hot spots occurring where rivers supply allochthonous organic material. We explored this hypothesis in Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe; surface area >5000 km(2)) by surveying ebullition in bays with and without river inputs using an echosounder and traditional surface chambers. The two techniques yielded similar results, and revealed substantially higher fluxes in river deltas (～10(3) mg CH(4) m(-2) d(-1)) compared to nonriver bays (<100 mg CH(4) m(-2) d(-1)). Hydroacoustic measurements resolved at 5 m intervals showed that flux events varied over several orders of magnitude (up to 10(5) mg CH(4) m(-2) d(-1)), and also identified strong differences in ebullition frequency. Both factors contributed to emission differences between all sites. A CH(4) mass balance for the deepest basin of Lake Kariba indicated that hot spot ebullition was the largest atmospheric emission pathway, suggesting that future greenhouse gas budgets for tropical reservoirs should include a spatially well-resolved analysis of ebullition hot spots.     

Improved field methods to quantify methane oxidation in landfill cover materials using stable carbon isotopes

Stable carbon isotopes provide a robust approach toward quantification of methanotrophic activity in landfill covers. The field method often applied to date has compared the delta13C of emitted to anaerobic zone CH4. Recent laboratory mass balance studies have indicated thatthis approach tends to underestimate CH4 oxidation. Therefore, we examined the CH4-delta13C at various soil depths in field settings and compared these values to emitted CH4. At 5-10 cm depth, we observed the most enrichment in CH4-delta13C (-46.0 to -32.1 per thousand). Emitted CH4-delta13C was more negative, ranging from -56.5 to -43.0 per thousand. The decrease in CH4-delta13C values from the shallow subsurface to the surface is the result of processes that result in selective emission of 12CH4 and selective retention of 13CH4 within the soil. Seasonal percent oxidation was calculated at seven sites representing four cover materials. Probe samples averaged greater (21 +/- 2%, p < 0.001, n = 7) oxidation than emitted CH4 data. We argue that calculations of fraction oxidized based on soil derived CH4 should yield upper limit values. When considered with emitted CH4 values, this combined approach will more realistically bracket the actual oxidation value. Following this guideline, we found the percent oxidation to be 23 +/- 3% and 38 +/- 16% for four soil and three compost covers, respectively.     

Impact of fuel quality regulation and speed reductions on shipping emissions: implications for climate and air quality

Atmospheric emissions of gas and particulate matter from a large ocean-going container vessel were sampled as it slowed and switched from high-sulfur to low-sulfur fuel as it transited into regulated coastal waters of California. Reduction in emission factors (EFs) of sulfur dioxide (SO?), particulate matter, particulate sulfate and cloud condensation nuclei were substantial (≥ 90%). EFs for particulate organic matter decreased by 70%. Black carbon (BC) EFs were reduced by 41%. When the measured emission reductions, brought about by compliance with the California fuel quality regulation and participation in the vessel speed reduction (VSR) program, are placed in a broader context, warming from reductions in the indirect effect of SO? would dominate any radiative changes due to the emissions changes. Within regulated waters absolute emission reductions exceed 88% for almost all measured gas and particle phase species. The analysis presented provides direct estimations of the emissions reductions that can be realized by California fuel quality regulation and VSR program, in addition to providing new information relevant to potential health and climate impact of reduced fuel sulfur content, fuel quality and vessel speed reductions.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from a municipal landfill

The first measurements of nitrous oxide (N20) emissions from a landfill by the eddy covariance method are reported. These measurements were compared to enclosure emission measurements conducted at the same site. The average emissions from the municipal landfill of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area were 2.7 mg N m(-2) h(-1) and 6.0 mg N m(-2) h(-1) measured bythe eddy covariance and the enclosure methods, respectively. The N20 emissions from the landfill are about 1 order of magnitude higher than the highest emissions reported from Northern European agricultural soils, and 2 orders of magnitude higher than the highest emissions reported from boreal forest soils. Due to the small area of landfills as compared to other land-use classes, the total N20 emissions from landfills are estimated to be of minor importance for the total emissions from Finland. Expressed as a greenhouse warming potential (GWP100), the N2O emissions make up about 3% of the total GWP100 emission of the landfill. The emissions measured by the two systems were generally of similar magnitude, with enclosure measurements showing a high small-scale spatial variation.     

Development of a coupled reactor model for prediction of organic contaminant fate in landfills

Models describing the behavior of organic chemicals in landfills can be useful to predict their fate and transport and also to generate input data for estimates of exposure and risk. The landfill coupled-reactor (LFCR) model developed in this work simulates a landfill as a series of fully mixed reactors, each representing a daily volume of waste. The LFCR model is a numerical model allowing time-variable input parameters such as gas generation, and cover type and thickness. The model was applied to three volatile organic chemicals (acetone, toluene, benzene) as well as naphthalene and the chemical warfare agent sarin under three landfill conditions (conventional, arid, bioreactor). Sarin was rapidly hydrolyzed, whereas naphthalene was largely associated with the landfill solid phase in all scenarios. Although similar biodegradation rates were used for acetone and toluene, toluene was more persistent in the landfill due to its hydrophobicity. The cover soil moisture content had a significant impact on gaseous diffusive losses.