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Journal ArticleDOI

Methane generation in landfills.

01 Jun 2007-Renewable Energy (Elsevier)-Vol. 32, Iss: 7, pp 1243-1257
TL;DR: In this article, the potential for additional collection and utilization of landfill gas in the US and worldwide was estimated based on the landfill gas situation in the United States and worldwide, and a conservative estimate of methane generation of about 50 nm3 of methane per ton of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfilled was made.
About: This article is published in Renewable Energy.The article was published on 2007-06-01. It has received 541 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Bioreactor landfill & Landfill gas utilization.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The main impacts due to waste mismanagement in developing countries are reviewed, focusing on environmental contamination and social issues, and the activity of the informal sector in developing cities was also reviewed.
Abstract: Environmental contamination due to solid waste mismanagement is a global issue. Open dumping and open burning are the main implemented waste treatment and final disposal systems, mainly visible in low-income countries. This paper reviews the main impacts due to waste mismanagement in developing countries, focusing on environmental contamination and social issues. The activity of the informal sector in developing cities was also reviewed, focusing on the main health risks due to waste scavenging. Results reported that the environmental impacts are pervasive worldwide: marine litter, air, soil and water contamination, and the direct interaction of waste pickers with hazardous waste are the most important issues. Many reviews were published in the scientific literature about specific waste streams, in order to quantify its effect on the environment. This narrative literature review assessed global issues due to different waste fractions showing how several sources of pollution are affecting the environment, population health, and sustainable development. The results and case studies presented can be of reference for scholars and stakeholders for quantifying the comprehensive impacts and for planning integrated solid waste collection and treatment systems, for improving sustainability at a global level.

937 citations


Cites background from "Methane generation in landfills."

  • ...Experimental studies indicate that the anaerobic biodegradation of MSW organic waste generates about 200 Nm3 of methane per dry tons of biomass [58]....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This manuscript provides a broad overview of the digestibility and energy production (biogas) yield of a range of substrates and the digester configurations that achieve these yields.

856 citations


Cites background from "Methane generation in landfills."

  • ...Anaerobic digestion involves a series of metabolic reactions such as hydrolysis, acidogensis and methanogensis (Themelis and Ulloa, 2007)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To improve the prediction of climate models, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which microorganisms regulate terrestrial greenhouse gas flux, which involves consideration of the complex interactions that occur between microorganisms and other biotic and abiotic factors.
Abstract: Microbial processes have a central role in the global fluxes of the key biogenic greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) and are likely to respond rapidly to climate change. Whether changes in microbial processes lead to a net positive or negative feedback for greenhouse gas emissions is unclear. To improve the prediction of climate models, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which microorganisms regulate terrestrial greenhouse gas flux. This involves consideration of the complex interactions that occur between microorganisms and other biotic and abiotic factors. The potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through managing terrestrial microbial processes is a tantalizing prospect for the future.

831 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview on the impact of landfilling (and its various alternatives) and composting on greenhouse gas emissions taking into account streamlined life cycle activities and the decomposition process is provided.

372 citations


Cites background from "Methane generation in landfills."

  • ...Energy recovery in particular was found to have a net negative GWP (Themelis and Ulloa, 2006) and offered the most cost-effective method in reducing GHG emissions from landfills making it a promising WM option with regards to GHG mitigation (Pipatti and Wihersaari, 1998)....

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  • ...As of 2001, there were approximately 955 landfills collecting LFG worldwide (Themelis and Ulloa, 2006) as compared with an estimate of 400 sites in 1995 (Meadows et al., 1997)....

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  • ...As of 2001, there were approximately 955 landfills collecting LFG worldwide (Themelis and Ulloa, 2006) as compared with an estimate of 400 sites in 1995 (Meadows et al....

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  • ...Various independent theoretical and experimental studies suggest a large variation of GHG generation from 1 ton of waste, ranging from 40 m3 to 250 m3 (Humer and Lechner, 1999a; Ayalon et al., 2000; Bogner et al., 1997; Themelis and Ulloa, 2006)....

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  • ...Various independent theoretical and experimental studies suggest a large variation of GHG generation from 1 ton of waste, ranging from 40 m(3) to 250 m(3) (Humer and Lechner, 1999a; Ayalon et al., 2000; Bogner et al., 1997; Themelis and Ulloa, 2006)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) represent a promising solution to allay climate change and plastic waste pollution and can approach a carbon neutral platform whereas petroleum-based plastics cannot.

358 citations

References
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Book
01 May 1993

809 citations


"Methane generation in landfills." refers methods in this paper

  • ...By using the ultimate (atomic) analysis of various types [11] of wastes and the atomic weights of the respective elements, it was possible [12] to derive the composite molecular formulae corresponding to mixed food wastes and paper: Mixed food and green wastes: C6H9....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first annual update of the original report, as required by law-presents the Energy Information Administration's latest estimates of emissions for carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases.
Abstract: Complimentary subscriptions and single issues are available to certain groups of subscribers, such as This report was prepared by the Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical agency within the Depattment of Energy. The information contained herein should not be construed as advocating or reflecting any policy position of the Department of Energy or of any other organization. Not later than one year after the date of the enact-ment of this Act, the Secreta y, through the Energy Information Administration, shall develop, based on data available to, and obtained by, the Energy Information Administration, an inventoy of the national aggregate emissions of each greenhouse gas for each calendar year of the baseline period of 1987 through 1990. The Administrator of the Energy Information of Administration shall annually update and analyze such inventoy using available data. This subsection does not provide any new data collection authority. report-the first annual update of the original report, as required by law-presents the Energy Information Ad-ministration's latest estimates of emissions for carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases.

685 citations

Journal Article
01 Jan 1996-Biocycle
TL;DR: The most accurate and current information available is used, although it should be noted that some states do not track waste generation, waste disposal or recycling figures continuously as mentioned in this paper, which is not the case in most states.
Abstract: As in years past, BioCycle staff surveyed state solid waste management and waste reduction officials to gather data for the State of Garbage in America report. The most accurate and current information available is used, although it should be noted that some states do not track waste generation, waste disposal or recycling figures continuously. Overall, the annual State of Garbage in America reports provides a representation of trends in how solid waste is being handled in the United States.

352 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The objectives of this paper are to identify and evaluate parameters that can be used to define the end of the postclosure monitoring period and to present a conceptual framework for an investigation of whether post closure monitoring can be terminated at a landfill.
Abstract: Regulations governing the disposal of solid waste in landfills specify that they must be monitored for 30 years after closure unless this period is extended by the governing regulatory authority. Given the wide range of conditions under which refuse is buried, technical criteria, rather than a specific time period, are preferable for evaluation of when it is acceptable to terminate postclosure monitoring. The objectives of this paper are to identify and evaluate parameters that can be used to define the end of the postclosure monitoring period and to present a conceptual framework for an investigation of whether postclosure monitoring can be terminated at a landfill. Parameters evaluated include leachate composition and leachate and gas production. Estimates of leachate production from closed landfills are used to assess the potential environmental impacts of a hypothetical release to surface water or groundwater. The acceptability of gaseous releases should be evaluated against criteria for odors, the potential for subsurface migration, and greenhouse gas and ozone precursor emissions. The approach presented here must be tested on a site-specific basis to identify additional data requirements and regulatory activity that might be required to prepare regulators for the large number of requests to terminate postclosure monitoring expected over the next 20 years. An approach in which the frequency and extent of postclosure monitoring is reduced as warranted by site-specific data and impact analysis should provide an effective strategy to manage closed landfills.

141 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper provided the first time series estimates of global anthropogenic methane emissions from the mid-19th century to the present, using historical time series data, and found that anthropogenic emissions have increased from about 80 million tonnes per annum in 1860 to about 380 million tonnes in 1990.

99 citations