Use of a biologically active cover to enhance landfill methane oxidation
Abstract
The emplacement of a biocover composed of a glass dispersion layer and a compost layer at the Tallahassee MSW Landfill significantly reduced methane emissions (by a factor of 10) and doubled the oxidation of methane compared to a non-treated control area of the landfill. The biocover became more effective than the control in oxidizing methane three months after its initial emplacement. Percent oxidation of methane was calculated using the carbon isotopic composition and concentration of methane emitted at the surface of the landfill. Over the one-year period of study, the difference in methane emission rate and methane oxidation percentage in the control and the biocover were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Following the initial three-month curing period, the mean oxidation for the biocover was 38%, and the mean oxidation for the control was 19%. Following the three month curing period 29 negative fluxes and 27 zero fluxes were observed in the biocover, while only 6 negative fluxes and 22 zero fluxes were onserved in the control area. Negative fluxes indicate uptake of atmospheric methane. If these zero and negative fluxes are assumed to represent 100% oxidation then the mean percent oxidation for the biocover and control areas increase to 56% and 39% respectively. Individual flux chambers showed a negative correlation between soil moisture and oxidation and a positive correlation between soil temperature and oxidation. Neither flux nor oxidation exhibited a distinct seasonality, perhaps due to relatively warm temperatures throughout the year or the effects of soil moisture buffering the effects of temperature.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2005
- Bibcode:
- 2005AGUFM.B11A1028S
- Keywords:
-
- 0418 Bioremediation;
- 0426 Biosphere/atmosphere interactions (0315);
- 0428 Carbon cycling (4806);
- 0454 Isotopic composition and chemistry (1041;
- 4870);
- 0490 Trace gases