Methane emission and heavy metals quantification from selected landfill areas in India

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has been made to study methane flux and quantification of heavy metals from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill areas of selected cities in India. During the period of study, the average value of methane flux was estimated from these landfill areas varied from 146-454 mg/m2/h. Methane emission from landfill is of serious environmental global concern as it accounts for approximately 15 percentages of current Greenhouse gas emissions. It has been estimated that methane emission, from landfill areas in the world, in next two decades would be same as that what is emitted from paddy fields presently. Besides, the estimation of methane flux, quantification of some heavy metals was conducted to analyse the suitability of using MSW as compost. The average values for metals were observed to be both within the range of USEPA and Indian standards for MSW disposal in landfill areas and to be used as compost respectively.

Bioconversion of organic solid wastes into biofortified compost using a microbial consortium

“…The C:N ratio of the soil sample was 12.5, which is considered good for microbial growth. However, Rawat et al (2008) found the C:N ratio of Indian dumpsites to vary between 11 and 30, which is in agreement with our result.…”

Assessment of Methane Flux from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Areas of Delhi, India

“…Taking methane emission average of both seasons the total methane flux calculated for Gazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla landfill areas were calculated as 0.24, 0.16 and 0.14 Gg/year respecttively [38]. Rawat et al [27], had reported the methane emission from six landfill areas i.e., Perungudi (Chennai); Dapha (Kolkata); Okhla (Delhi); KCDC (Bangalore); Pirana (Ahmedabad) and Doran landfill area (Dehradun) of India as 0.21 Tg/year. As stated earlier that similar results were estimated by Bhattacharya and Mitra [33], reported methane emission from MSW in India was 0.56 Tg (1990) and 0.93 Tg (2000).…”

“…Methane: Methane is produced in large quantity in landfills, as a consequence of the degradation of organic matter under anaerobic conditions [27]. Landfills often accept waste over a 20 -30 years period, so waste in a landfill may be undergoing several phases of decomposition.…”

Potential for enhanced phytoremediation of landfills using biosolids – a review

“…Methane and CO 2 are well established as greenhouse gases which greatly contribute to global warming. Methane emissions from landfill account for approximately 15% of current greenhouse gas emissions (Rawat et al, 2008). In addition, the gas emitted from landfill is detrimental to plants used to revegetate landfill sites.…”