The effect of different soils on methane oxidation from landfills
Date
2008-08-19T12:32:23Z
Authors
Mokoena, Gavin T.
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Abstract
Abstract
Biological oxidation of methane is and important constraint on the emission of
this gas from areas, such as landfills to the atmosphere. We studied the
effect of covering soils on methane emission in landfill assimilation. Microbial
evaluation was done on virgin soil and later on soils used as covering
material. This soil was later treated differently to see different effects that has
on methane emission. Treatments applied were addition of compost in soil,
moistured soil with methanotroph culture instead of water.
Although methane was produced from the landfill, it was not as documented
between 45 and 50%. We got between 6 and 18% production. In all the soils
tested the uncultivated soil had the minimal emission as it emitted 0%
methane. Sand, however, had some oxidation effect. The problem was that it
is porous therefore gas migration is not restricted. This shows that the
oxidative bacteria are available naturally is soils, but gets abandoned as the
conditions favours their growth.
The treatments done to soils had little effect as methane oxidation was not
influenced or altered. This can be liked into in details.
There have been some good observations in the assimilated landfill. As the
landfill was not controlled the pH dropped and this in return produced more
hydrogen as compared to methane. With all the altered gas balance
produced the leachate changed.
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Keywords
methane oxidation, landfills, effect of soils