Reduction of Methane Emission From Landfill Through Microbial Activities in Cover Soil: A Brief Review

Abstract

Scientifically designed landfill or open dumpsites are used for disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in many developed and developing countries. These two systems pose two environmental challenges such as generation of landfill leachate and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Because the GHG emission has been considered to be a global threat, various options have been tried to mitigate the emission of GHGs, especially methane (CH4). The capture and disposal of the landfill gas (LFG) emanating from landfills is technically difficult and costly. The conventional methods for reducing LFG consist of flaring or combustion with energy recovery in engines. Due to the technical difficulties and/or high cost associated with these conventional possibilities, many other alternatives are being investigated. Among these, microbial oxidation of CH4 stands as a cost-effective candidate to minimize the GHG emission from landfills to the atmosphere. Many researchers have worked in this area and the results are encouraging. This paper is an attempt to review this candidate.