title: Biodegradation of methane and halocarbons in simulated landfill biocover systems containing compost materials.
abstract: The attenuation potential of methane (CH(4)) and of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was compared in four types of compost materials using dynamic flow column experiments over a period of 255 d. Garden waste compost mixed with wood chips showed the highest steady-state CH(4) oxidation rate (161 g m(-2) d(-1)), followed by a commercial compost product Supermuld (110 g m(-2) d(-1)). In the column containing the highest fraction of compost (compost/sand mixed in 1:1), CH(4) oxidation declined significantly during the period of operation, probably due to clogging by formation of exopolymeric substances. After 40 d of operation, CH(4) production was observed. All the VOCs tested were degraded. CFC-11 (CCl(3)F) and HCFC-21 (CCl(2)FH) were anaerobically degraded by reductive dechlorination, generating HCFC-31 (CClFH(2)) and HFC-41 (CFH(3)), which were both aerobically degraded in the oxic portion of the columns. Overall, the highest removal of VOCs was observed in the column containing the compost/wood chip mixture. This study demonstrates that biocovers consisting of compost materials have the potential to attenuate trace gas emissions from landfills.
authors.affiliation: Dep. of Environmental Engineering, Technical Univ. of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. chs@env.dtu.dk
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheutz
authors.forename: Gitte B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kjeldsen
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D006219:Halogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D006219:Halogens; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D008697:Methane