The effect of barometric pressure changes on the performance of a passive biocover system, Skellingsted landfill, Denmark

Abstract

This study investigated the performance of a passive biocover system at a Danish landfill. The overall methane oxidation efficiency of the system was assessed by comparing annual whole-site methane emissions before and after biocover installation. Annual whole-site methane emission predictions were calculated based on empirical models developed by a discrete number of tracer gas dispersion measurements. Moreover, a series of field campaigns and continuous flux measurements was carried out to evaluate the functionality of an individual biowindow. The results indicated that biocover system performance highly depended on barometric pressure variations. Under decreasing barometric pressure, estimated efficiency declined to 20%, while under increasing barometric pressure, nearly 100% oxidation was achieved. In-situ measurements on a specific biowindow showed a similar oxidation efficiency pattern in respect to barometric pressure changes despite the difference in spatial representation. Eddy covariance results revealed pronounced seasonal variability in the investigated biowindow, measuring higher methane fluxes during the cold period compared to the warm period. Results from the in-situ campaigns confirmed this finding, reporting a threefold increase in the biowindow’s methane oxidation capacity from April to May. The annual average oxidation efficiency of the system was estimated to range between 51% and 65%, taking into consideration the impact of changes in barometric pressure and seasonal variability. This indicated an annual reduction in landfill’s methane emissions between 24 and 35 tonnes. This study revealed the challenge facing current approaches in documenting accurately the performance of a passive biocover system, due to the short-term variability of oxidation efficiency, which is influenced by barometric pressure changes.