Field measurements and modeling to resolve m2 to km2 CH4 emissions for a complex urban source

An Indiana landfill study

Bibliographic Data

ID19568562
AuthorsMaria Obiminda L Cambaliza (0000-0002-1665-7969, Ateneo de Manila University, corresponding author), Jean E Bogner, J Bogner (0000-0001-6802-8462, University of Illinois Chicago), Roger B Green (Waste Management (United States)), P B Shepson (0000-0002-1726-3291, Purdue University West Lafayette), Tierney A Harvey (University of Central Oklahoma), Kurt A Spokas (0000-0002-5049-5959, Agricultural Research Service), Brian H Stirm (Purdue University West Lafayette), Margaret Corcoran, Margaret B Corcoran (0000-0002-9114-0230, Great Lakes Science Center)
EditorsDetlev Helmig (0000-0003-1612-1651), Armin Wisthaler (0000-0001-5050-3018)
Year2017
Volume5
Publication date2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueElementa Science of the Anthropocene (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2325-1026 • E-ISSN: 2325-1026
PublisherUniversity of California Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1525/elementa.145
OpenAlexW2731533989
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited29

Large spatial and temporal uncertainties for landfill CH4 emissions remain unresolved by short-term field campaigns and historic greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory models. Using four field methods (aircraft-based mass balance, tracer correlation, vertical radial plume mapping, static chambers) and a new field-validated process-based model (California Landfill Methane Inventory Model, CALMIM 5.4), we investigated the total CH4 emissions from a central Indiana landfill as well as the partitioned emissions inclusive of methanotrophic oxidation for the various cover soils at the site. We observed close agreement between whole site emissions derived from the tracer correlation (8 to 13 mol s–1) and the aircraft mass balance approaches (7 and 17 mol s–1) that were statistically indistinguishable from the modeling result (12 ± 2 mol s–1 inclusive of oxidation). Our model calculations indicated that approximately 90% of the annual average CH4 emissions (11 ± 1 mol s–1; 2200 ± 250 g m–2 d–1) derived from the small daily operational area. Characterized by a thin overnight soil cover directly overlying a thick sequence of older methanogenic waste without biogas recovery, this area constitutes only 2% of the 0.7 km2 total waste footprint area. Because this Indiana landfill is an upwind source for Indianapolis, USA, the resolution of m2 to km2 scale emissions at various temporal scales contributes to improved regional inventories relevant for addressing GHG mitigation strategies. Finally, our comparison of measured to reported CH4 emissions under the US EPA National GHG Reporting program suggests the need to revisit the current IPCC (2006) GHG inventory methodology based on CH4 generation modeling. The reasonable prediction of emissions at individual U.S. landfills requires incorporation of both cover-specific landfill climate modeling (e.g., soil temperature/moisture variability over a typical annual cycle driving CH4 transport and oxidation rates) as well as operational issues (e.g., cover thickness/properties, extent of biogas recovery)

Air quality index · Atmospheric sciences · Biogas · Emission inventory · Geography · Greenhouse gas · Land cover · Land use · Landfill gas · Meteorology · Methane · Municipal solid waste · Plume · Soil water · TRACER · Waste management · Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics · Chemistry · Engineering · Environmental Science · Groundwater flow and contamination studies · Landfill Environmental Impact Studies · Environmental Engineering · Geology · Soil Science

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