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Quantification of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from an active landfill: study the effect of surface conditions on emissions

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Abstract

Global warming is one of the principal environmental crises, and landfills are regarded as leading sources of greenhouse gases, mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The present study aimed to quantify the CH4 and CO2 emissions from an open, active municipal solid waste (MSW) dumpsite, which has been functioning for over 30 years in Karadiyana, Sri Lanka. The effect of surface conditions such as moisture content, organic content, pH, surface temperature, vegetation growth, and waste disposal history on emissions was studied using geostatistical analysis. Based on the surface physical conditions and waste disposal history, multiple samplings were done from eight identified cells. The superficial emission rate was determined using the static closed flux chamber method. Results showed that the average emission rates of CH4 and CO2 were 10,672 and 40,827 mg m−2 h−1, and total emissions were 7,436 and 21,653 kg d−1, respectively. Further, the highest fraction of the total was from the old mixed waste area (CH4; 26% and CO2; 35%), which was filled with water, and the highest flux rates were reported in trenches where leachate flows showing a significant pathway to migrate landfill gases to the atmosphere (CH4; 37,410 and CO2; 140,158 mg m−2 h−1). Moreover, moisture and organic matter content positively correlate with CH4 flux rates. Results concluded that the proper drainage system on the dump and a leachate treatment system with gas collecting and purification method would reduce the considerable amount of methane emission from open MSW dumpsites.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Our special thanks to the Centre for forestry and environment, Department of Forestry and Environmental science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP), Sri Lanka. The authors would also like to acknowledge all the staff members in Karadiyana open dumpsite, Sri Lanka, for their support on sample collection. We extend our gratitude to the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science and Research Council of USJP staff for granting support. This study was conducted under grant no ASP/01/RE/SCI/2018/66 provided by the Research Council of USJP.

Funding

This work was supported by university research grant (Grant number-ASP/01/RE/SCI/2018/66). Authors have received research support from university of Sri Jayewradenapura, Sri Lanka.

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  1. Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

    Priyantha Lakmini Herath, Daham Jayawardana & Nilanthi Bandara

  2. Centre for Forestry and Environment, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

    Priyantha Lakmini Herath, Daham Jayawardana & Nilanthi Bandara

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Herath, P.L., Jayawardana, D. & Bandara, N. Quantification of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from an active landfill: study the effect of surface conditions on emissions. Environ Earth Sci 82, 64 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-10745-1

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