Sulfate reduction behavior in response to landfill dynamic pressure changes

Abstract

During the long-term stabilization process of landfills, the pressure field undergoes constant changes. This study constructed dynamic pressure changes scenarios of high-pressure differentials (0.6 MPa) and low-pressure differentials (0.2 MPa) in the landfill pressure field at 25 °C and 50 °C, and investigated the sulfate reduction behavior in response to landfill dynamic pressure changes. The results showed that the pressurization or depressurization of high-pressure differentials caused more significant differences in sulfate reduction behavior than that of low-pressure differentials. The lowest hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release peak concentration under pressurization was only 29.67% of that under initial pressure condition; under depressurization, the highest peak concentration of H2S was up to 21,828 mg m−3, posing a serious risk of H2S pollution. Microbial community and correlation analysis showed that pressure had a negative impact on the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) community, and the SRB community adjusted its structure to adapt to pressure changes. Specific SRBs were further enriched with pressure changes. Differential H2S release behavior under pressure changes in the 25 °C pressure environments were mediated by Desulfofarcimen (ASV343) and Desulfosporosinus (ASV1336), while Candidatus Desulforudis (ASV24) and Desulfohalotomaculum (ASV94) played a key role at 50 °C. This study is helpful in the formulation of control strategies for the source of odor pollution in landfills.