Gas-Phase Mass Transfer Processes in Landfill Microbiology
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 3
Abstract
This report assesses gas-phase mass transfer processes in landfills with respect to their influence on waste biodegradation. Gas-phase transport must dominate in many regions of the waste because aqueous-phase transport is restricted, the environment is largely unsaturated, and substantial quantities of gas are produced. Analysis of landfill gas and landfill gas condensate at four municipal solid waste landfills in the eastern United States demonstrated that both volatile fatty acids and microorganisms are transported in the gas phase. The heterogeneity, mass transfer limitations, and significant thermal gradients in waste environments imply that gas-phase processes can play crucial roles in waste decomposition, for example by regulating local pH and distributing trace nutrients. A conceptual framework describing these processes is presented. Implications for waste management, landfill design, energy production, air emissions, and anaerobic microbiology are discussed.
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Acknowledgments
The assistance of the staff and management at the facilities where samples were collected was essential to the completion of this work. The help of Kevin Ball, Daniel Fluman, Michael Gealt, Eric Karlberg, Mijin Kim, and Alfred Yates was deeply appreciated. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection neither contributed to nor reviewed this work. No endorsement by the above agencies or individuals is implied.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 3 • March 2008
Pages: 191 - 199
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 21, 2006
Accepted: Aug 8, 2007
Published online: Mar 1, 2008
Published in print: Mar 2008
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