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Alternative approach to the elimination of greenhouse gases from old landfills

Universitat fur Bodenkultur, Wien (University of Agricultural Sciences, Vienna) IWGA, Department of Waste Management, Vienna, Austria

P. Lechner

Universitat fur Bodenkultur, Wien (University of Agricultural Sciences, Vienna) IWGA, Department of Waste Management, Vienna, Austria

Landfills are considered to be an important global source of the greenhouse gas methane. These emissions are especially caused by inadequate gas collection systems, uncontrolled emissions from old dumps and unauthorized open dumping. The subsequent capturing and disposal of landfill gas from old landfills is technically difficult and very costly. A low-cost alternative to the conventional methods is the microbial oxidation of methane. For this purpose it is necessary to spread cover layers much in the same way as is done for large biofilters. This calls for sufficient knowledge about the biology of the methane oxidising microorganisms and the resulting requirements to be met by the substrate. Laboratory studies have proved municipal solid waste compost and sewage sludge compost to be suitable carrier substrates.

Key Words: Greenhouse effect • landfill cover material • landfill degasification • landfill gas • methane-oxidation • old landfills • waste compost

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