Trace Organic Compounds in Landfill Gas at Seven U.K. Waste Disposal Sites

Abstract

The trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in landfill gas were examined at seven U.K. waste disposal facilities. Over 140 compounds were identified, of which more than 90 were common to all seven sites. The groups of compounds and concentrations observed were alkanes, 302−1543 mg m-3; aromatic compounds, 94−1906 mg m-3; cycloalkanes, 80−487 mg m-3; terpenes, 35−652 mg m-3; alcohols and ketones, 2−2069 mg m-3; and halogenated compounds, 327−1239 mg m-3. The observed variations in landfill gas composition were largely attributed to differ ences in the waste composition and the stage reached in the decomposition processes at each of the sites. Three sites were found to have total chlorine concentrations, derived from the organochlorine compounds in the gas, of above 250 mg m-3. Chlorine contents of this level were considered to be potentially damaging to landfill gas fueled engines used for electricity generation. Chloroethene (>0.1−87 mg m-3) was identified as the most abundant toxic component. Chloroethene levels in the landfill gases from two of the sites studied were found in excess of the U.K. maximum exposure limit by a factor of 5 and 3. Total VOCs emissions from four of the seven sites studied were estimated to be of the order of 104 kg/yr.

Emission of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) during the aerobic decomposition of orange wastes

“…This indicated that citrus fruit waste, even when making up a small part in biowastes, would contribute a large portion to OVOC emission. Allen et al (1997) found that the alcohols, ketones and esters were 2-3 orders of magnitude higher at sites for the disposal of fruit wastes than other sites in a landfill. …”

Evaluating the impact of odors from the 1955 landfills in China using a bottom-up approach

“…Studies have shown that sulfides were the main compounds causing landfill-generated odors and that many other complex trace substances also contributed to those odors (Allen et al, 1997;Ding et al, 2012;Duan et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2005;Sarkar et al, 2003;Scheutz and Kjeldsen, 2003;Young and Parker, 1983;Ji, 2011). Governments regulate siting of landfills by specifying the minimum distance between landfill sites and residential areas.…”

An investigation of the presence of methane and other gases at the Uzundere–Izmir solid waste disposal site, Izmir, Turkey

“…For example, during the summer, the moisture content varies between 60 and 65% whereas in the winter months the moisture content ranges from 40 to 45%. In addition, the amount of ash from household stoves is around 30-35% during the winter months (Bogner and Spokas, 1993). The composition of the household solid waste delivered to the plant is given in Table 2.…”

“…Due to the anaerobic decomposition of the organic matter, the emissions are mainly in the form of CH 4 and CO 2 , other constituents usually are present in relatively small concentrations (Solid Waste Landfill Guidance, 1999). Measurements of CH 4 and CO 2 in seven waste disposal sites in the UK showed that the concentration of the two gases varied between 37 and 65% and 24 and 42%, respectively (Allen et al, 1997).…”

“…Although many variables influence landfill CH 4 generation, such as the presence of anaerobic conditions, concentration and quality of organic material, the state of methanogenic microbial community, water content, available nutrients/toxins, temperature and pH, one of the most important variables is the moisture content of the waste (Onargan, 1999 contact between microorganisms, nutrients, and degradable substrates are improved and microbial metabolism is accelerated, leading to increases in the production of CH 4 and total gas (Korol, 1997;Bogner and Spokas, 1993). Uncontrolled release of landfill gas from solid waste disposal sites is an environmental risk.…”