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A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ESTIMATING GLOBAL METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LANDFILLS
Citation:
Peer, R., S Thorneloe*, AND D. Epperson. A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ESTIMATING GLOBAL METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LANDFILLS. CHEMOSPHERE 26(1-4):387-400, (1993).
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Description:
Landfills are a significant source of methane, ranking third in anthropogenic sources after rice paddies and ruminants. Estimating the contribution of landfills to global methane flux is hampered by a lack of accurate refuse and landfill data, and therefore depends heavily on the assumptions used in the calculations. This paper describes research efforts to improve methodologies for estimating landfill emissions. Two key variables are discussed (1) the amount of refuse landfilled, and (2) the methanegenerating potential of that refuse. Estimates of annual U.S. municipal solid waste production are compared, and the limitations of each method are reviewed. The implications for global data development are discussed. The estimated amount of methane emitted due to anaerobic decomposition of refuse in landfills can be based on theoretical models, laboratory studies, or measurements. Data from methane recovery systems at selected U.S. landfills were used to evaluate the effect of climate, age of refuse, and physical characteristics of the site on methane recovery. Methodologies for using methane recovery data to estimate methane produced by refuse are described, and resulting methane potentials are compared to other values in the literature. This paper discusses the factors that influence these two key variables and the sensitivity of global methane emissions estimates to assumptions about these factors.
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A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ESTIMATING GLOBAL METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LANDFILLS (PDF, NA pp, 358 KB, about PDF)