Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation of different biogeochemical cover configurations for mitigation of landfill gas emissions: laboratory column experiments

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are a major source of anthropogenic methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which are also major greenhouse gases. Apart from greenhouse gas emissions, MSW landfills are notorious for odor, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a major contributor of odor in landfills. Recent studies have shown promise with biochar-amended soil covers to mitigate landfill CH4 emissions by enhancing microbial CH4 oxidation; however, mitigating only CH4 does not wholly resolve fugitive emissions as landfill gas (LFG) comprise of almost same proportion of CO2 as CH4. Also, H2S has very low odor threshold and numerous health risks. This study explores a novel biogeochemical MSW landfill cover integrating basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag and biochar-amended soil to mitigate CH4, CO2 and H2S simultaneously from LFG. In this regard, column studies were carried out simulating four cover profiles: 1) soil control (column 1); 2) combination of BOF slag layer and 10% (by weight) biochar-amended soil layer (column 2); 3) combination of BOF slag layer and 5% (by weight) methanotrophically activated biochar-amended soil layer (column 3); and 4) combination of mixture of sand and BOF slag layer and 10% (by weight) methanotrophically activated biochar-amended soil layer (column 4). The cover profiles were exposed to simulated LFG (48.25% CH4, 50% CO2 and 1.75% H2S) at an average flux rate of 130 g CH4/m2-day. Terminal batch assays were conducted on the soil and biochar-amended soil samples obtained from various depths after exhumation from the columns to evaluate potential CH4 oxidation rates. Carbonate content tests and batch tests were conducted to evaluate carbonation potential of the BOF slag. The overall gas removal efficiencies of the cover profiles were in the order of column 3 > column 2 > column 4 > column 1. The CH4 oxidation rates were the highest in the 5% activated biochar-amended soil at 143 µg CH4/g-day or 100 µg CH4/g-day above soil control. Higher CH4 oxidation potential was associated with high moisture retention and biochar content. The BOF slag showed a maximum CO2 removal of 145 mg CO2/g BOF slag during column operation. Carbonation of BOF slag did not impede oxygen intrusion into the underlying biochar-amended soil layer and its CH4 oxidation efficiency. Overall, biogeochemical cover provides a holistic and sustainable solution to fugitive landfill emissions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. ASTM D2434-19 (2019) Standard test method for permeability of granular soils (constant head). ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  2. ASTM D2487-17e1 (2017) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (unified soil classification system). ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  3. ASTM D2974-20e1 (2020) Standard test methods for determining the water (moisture) content, ash content, and organic material of peat and other organic soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  4. ASTM D2980-17e1 (2017) Standard test method for saturated density, moisture-holding capacity, and porosity of saturated peat materials. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  5. ASTM D4318-17e1 (2017) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  6. ASTM D4373-14 (2014) Standard test method for rapid determination of carbonate content of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  7. ASTM D4972-19 (2019) Standard test methods for pH of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  8. ASTM D5084-16a (2016) Standard test methods for measurement of hydraulic conductivity of saturated porous materials using a flexible wall permeameter. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  9. ASTM D6913 / D6913M-17 (2017) Standard test methods for particle-size distribution (gradation) of soils using sieve analysis. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  10. ASTM D854-14 (2014) Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  11. Boeckx P, Van Cleemput O (1996) Methane oxidation in a neutral landfill cover soil: influence of moisture content, temperature, and nitrogen-turnover. Am Soc Agron Crop Sci Soc Am Soil Sci Soc Am 25(1):178–183

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chetri JK, Reddy KR (2021) Climate-resilient biogeochemical cover for waste containment systems. Geo-Extreme 2021: Climatic Extremes and Earthquake Modeling, ASCE Press, pp 189–199

  13. Chetri JK, Reddy KR, Grubb DG (2019) Innovative biogeochemical cover to mitigate landfill gas emissions: investigation of controlling parameters based on batch and column experiments. Environ Process 6(4):935–949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Chetri JK, Reddy KR, Grubb DG (2020) Carbon-dioxide and hydrogen-sulfide removal from simulated landfill gas using steel slag. J Environ Eng 146(12):04020139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Chetri JK, Reddy KR, Green SJ (2021) Methane oxidation and microbial community dynamics in activated biochar amended landfill soil cover. J Environ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. De Visscher A, Thomas D, Boeckx P, Van Cleemput O (1999) Methane oxidation in simulated landfill cover soil environments. Environ Sci Technol 33(11):1854–1859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Huang D, Yang L, Ko JH, Xu Q (2019) Comparison of the methane-oxidizing capacity of landfill cover soil amended with biochar produced using different pyrolysis temperatures. Sci Total Environ 693:133594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Huber-Humer M, Gebert J, Hilger H (2008) Biotic systems to mitigate landfill methane emissions. Waste Manag Res 26(1):33–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Huber-Humer M, Tintner J, Böhm K, Lechner P (2011) Scrutinizing compost properties and their impact on methane oxidation efficiency. Waste Manag 31(5):871–883

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Huijgen WJ, Witkamp GJ, Comans RN (2005) Mineral CO2 sequestration by steel slag carbonation. Environ Sci Tchnol 39(24):9676–9682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. IPCC (2014) Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of working groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. In: Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.). IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, pp. 151

  22. Jing W, Jiang J, Ding S, Duan P (2020) Hydration and microstructure of steel slag as cementitious material and fine aggregate in mortar. Molecules 25(19):4456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kightley D, Nedwell DB, Cooper M (1995) Capacity for methane oxidation in landfill cover soils measured in laboratory-scale soil microcosms. Appl Environ Microbiol 61(2):592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lee EH, Moon KE, Cho KS (2017) Long-term performance and bacterial community dynamics in biocovers for mitigating methane and malodorous gases. J Biotechnol 242:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Lee YY, Jung H, Ryu HW, Oh KC, Jeon JM, Cho KS (2018) Seasonal characteristics of odor and methane mitigation and the bacterial community dynamics in an on-site biocover at a sanitary landfill. Waste Manag 71:277–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Mo L, Zhang F, Deng M (2016) Mechanical performance and microstructure of the calcium carbonate binders produced by carbonating steel slag paste under CO2 curing. Cem Concr Res 88:217–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Motz H, Geiseler J (2001) Products of steel slags an opportunity to save natural resources. Waste Manag 21(3):285–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. OSHA (2021) Hydrogen Sulfide. Occupational safety and health administration. United States Department of Labor. Available on https://www.osha.gov/hydrogen-sulfide/hazards (accessed on June 14, 2021)

  29. Pang B, Zhou Z, Xu H (2015) Utilization of carbonated and granulated steel slag aggregate in concrete. Constr Build Mater 84:454–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rachor I, Gebert J, Gröngröft A, Pfeiffer EM (2011) Assessment of the methane oxidation capacity of compacted soils intended for use as landfill cover materials. Waste Manag 31(5):833–842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Rai RK, Chetri JK, Reddy KR (2019) Effect of methanotrophic-activated biochar-amended soil in mitigating CH4 emissions from landfills. In: Proceeding 4th international conference on civil and environmental geology and mining engineering, Trabzon, Turkey

  32. Reddy KR, Kumar G, Gopakumar A, Rai RK, Grubb DG (2018) CO2 Sequestration using BOF slag: application in landfill cover. In International conference on protection and restoration of the environment XIV, Thessaloniki, Greece

  33. Reddy KR, Grubb DG, Kumar G (2018) Innovative biogeochemical soil cover to mitigate landfill gas emissions. In: International conference on protection and restoration of the environment XIV, Thessaloniki, Greece

  34. Reddy KR, Yargicoglu EN, Yue D, Yaghoubi P (2014) Enhanced microbial methane oxidation in landfill cover soil amended with biochar. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 140(9):04014047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Reddy KR, Rai RK, Green SJ, Chetri JK (2019) Effect of temperature on methane oxidation and community composition in landfill cover soil. Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 46(9–10):1283–1295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Reddy KR, Chetri JK, Kumar G, Grubb DG (2019) Effect of basic oxygen furnace slag type on carbon dioxide sequestration from landfill gas emissions. Waste Manag 85:425–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Reddy KR, Gopakumar A, Chetri JK, Kumar G, Grubb DG (2019) Sequestration of landfill gas emissions using basic oxygen furnace slag: effects of moisture content and humid gas flow conditions. J Environ Eng 145(7):04019033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Reddy KR, Gopakumar A, Rai RK, Kumar G, Chetri JK, Grubb DG (2019) Effect of basic oxygen furnace slag particle size on sequestration of carbon dioxide from landfill gas. Waste Manag Res 37(5):469–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Sadasivam BY, Reddy KR (2015) Influence of physico-chemical properties of different biochars on landfill methane adsorption. In: IFCEE 2015, pp. 2647–2656

  40. Sadasivam BY, Reddy KR (2014) Landfill methane oxidation in soil and bio-based cover systems: a review. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 13(1):79–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Sadasivam BY, Reddy KR (2015) Adsorption and transport of methane in biochars derived from waste wood. Waste Manag 43:218–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Schuetz C, Bogner J, Chanton J, Blake D, Morcet M, Kjeldsen P (2003) Comparative oxidation and net emissions of methane and selected non-methane organic compounds in landfill cover soils. Environ Sci Technol 37(22):5150–5158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. USEPA (2021) Basic information about landfill gas. Landfill methane outreach program (LMOP). United States environmental protection agency, Washington, DC, USA. Available on https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas (Accessed on June 11, 2021)

  44. van Zomeren A, Van der Laan SR, Kobesen HB, Huijgen WJ, Comans RN (2011) Changes in mineralogical and leaching properties of converter steel slag resulting from accelerated carbonation at low CO2 pressure. Waste Manag 31(11):2236–2244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Wohlers HC, Feldstein M (1966) Hydrogen sulfide darkening of exterior paint. J Air Pollut Control Assoc 16(1):19–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Xia FF, Zhang HT, Wei XM, Su Y, He R (2015) Characterization of H2S removal and microbial community in landfill cover soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22(23):18906–18917

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Xie T, Reddy KR, Wang C, Yargicoglu EN, Spokas K (2015) Characteristics and applications of biochar for environmental remediation: a review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 45(9):939–969

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Yargicoglu EN, Reddy KR (2017) Effects of biochar and wood pellets amendments added to landfill cover soil on microbial methane oxidation: a laboratory column study. J Environ Manag 193:19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Yargicoglu EN, Reddy KR (2018) Biochar-amended soil cover for microbial methane oxidation: effect of biochar amendment ratio and cover profile. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 144(3):04017123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Yargicoglu EN, Sadasivam BY, Reddy KR, Spokas K (2015) Physical and chemical characterization of waste wood derived biochars. Waste Manag 36:256–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Yildirim IZ, Prezzi M (2009) Use of steel slag in subgrade applications. Joint transportation research program. Project No. C-36-50BB. Indiana Department of Transportation and The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is a part of comprehensive project titled “Innovative Biochar-Slag-Soil Cover System for Zero Emissions at Landfills” funded by the National Science Foundation (CMMI# 1724773), which is gratefully acknowledged. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF. The authors are grateful to Electron Microscopy Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago for conducting SEM/EDS analysis and Phoenix Services, LLC, for providing BOF slag for this study. Authors are also grateful to Pittsburgh Mineral & Environmental Technology, Inc., for performing sulfur analysis on the column exhumed samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA

    Jyoti K. Chetri & Krishna R. Reddy

  2. Fugacity LLC, 324 Broadway Ave, West Cape May, NJ, 08204, USA

    Dennis G. Grubb

Authors
  1. Jyoti K. Chetri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Krishna R. Reddy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dennis G. Grubb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Krishna R. Reddy.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chetri, J.K., Reddy, K.R. & Grubb, D.G. Investigation of different biogeochemical cover configurations for mitigation of landfill gas emissions: laboratory column experiments. Acta Geotech. 17, 5481–5498 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01509-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01509-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation