INTERACTION BETWEEN METHANE AND NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS USING METHANE-REDUCING BIOCOVER

Abstract

Landfills of municipal waste are important sources of methane emissions. The surface of the landfill area is the interface between the waste layer and the atmosphere. By creating a biocover cover layer, it is possible to reduce methane emissions that would refer to air quality. This innovative biocover technology aims to curtail methane emissions from various sources. The research delves into the effectiveness of this biocover in not only mitigating methane emissions but also its potential influence on nitrous oxide emissions. Through a combination of laboratory experiments, the study unravels the intricate dynamics between methane and nitrous oxide emissions in the context of the methane-reducing biocover.The study created a laboratory biocover experiment. Interaction between methane and nitrous oxide emissions was studied using methane-reducing biocover. The experiment was launched on 6 June 2022. This was done by creating tube columns with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 1500 mm. The biocover used consisted of 60% of fine-fraction waste, 20% of soil and 20% of compost. Measurements of methane and nitrous oxide emissions were performed with Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy gas measurement device Picarro G2508. When performing emission measurements, the flow rate in the tube of the mesurement device was 5 ml/s-1. During the whole experiment, water-saturated compost was used as a source of methane and nitrous oxide. The experimental structure also used sand, which served as a gas-permeable layer and separated biocover from compost (emissions source). The analysis of the data showed a minor interaction between methane emissions and nitrous oxide flow. The results shed light on potential synergies or tradeoffs in greenhouse gas reduction strategies, offering valuable insights for optimizing emission reduction efforts while considering the broader environmental implications.