Use of methanotrophically activated biochar in novel biogeochemical cover system for carbon sequestration: Microbial characterization

Biochar-amended soils have been explored to enhance microbial methane (CH₄) oxidation in landfill cover systems. Recently, research priorities have expanded to include the mitigation of other components of landfill gas such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) along with CH₄. In this study, column tests were performed to simulate the newly proposed biogeochemical cover systems, which incorporate biochar-amended soil for CH₄ oxidation and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag for CO₂ and H₂S mitigation, to evaluate the effect of cover configuration on microbial CH₄ oxidation and community composition. Biogeochemical covers included a biochar-amended soil (10% w/w), and methanotroph-enriched activated biochar amended soil (5% or 10% w/w) as a biocover layer or CH₄ oxidation layer. The primary outcome measures of interest were CH₄ oxidation rates and the structure and abundance of methane-oxidation bacteria in the covers. All column reactors were active in CH₄ oxidation, but columns containing activated biochar-amended soils had higher CH₄ oxidation rates (133 to 143 μg CH₄ g^-1 day^-1) than those containing non-activated biochar-amended soil (50 μg CH₄ g^-1 day^-1) and no-biochar soil or control soil (43 μg CH₄ g^-1 day^-1). All treatments showed significant increases in the relative abundance of methanotrophs from an average relative abundance of 5.6% before incubation to a maximum of 45% following incubation. In activated biochar, the abundance of Type II methanotrophs, primarily Methylocystis and Methylosinus, was greater than that of Type I methanotrophs (Methylobacter) due to which activated biochar-amended soils also showed higher abundance of Type II methanotrophs. Overall, biogeochemical cover profiles showed promising potential for CH₄ oxidation without any adverse effect on microbial community composition and methane oxidation. Biochar activation led to an alteration of the dominant methanotrophic communities and increased CH₄ oxidation.

A novel belowground in-situ gas labeling approach: CH4 oxidation in deep peat using passive diffusion chambers and 13C excess

In-vitro incubation of environmental samples is a common approach to estimate CH₄ oxidation potential. Here we developed and verified an in-situ method utilizing passive diffusion chambers (PDC, silicone tubes) to deliver ¹³C-labeled CH₄ into peat for the determination of the CH₄ oxidation potential based on ¹³C excess of CO₂. To target CH₄ oxidation under semi-aerobic and anaerobic conditions, we installed 20 PDCs (30 ml volume) below the water table in profiles from 35-cm to 2-m depths of a peatland in north-eastern Sweden in July 2017 using a peat auger. ¹³C-labeled CH₄ was injected into PDCs through tubing twice during 12 days (day 0 and 6) and samples were collected at days 1, 3, 6, 8 and 11. Background (non-labeled) δ¹³C of CO₂ ranged from -7.3 (35 cm) to +5.7‰ (200 cm) with depth. These δ¹³C values rose to +110 and + 204‰ after the CH₄ injection. The estimated CH₄-derived C in CO₂ was the lowest at the bottom of the profile (0.3 μmol L^-1), whereas the maximum was at 100 cm (6.1 μmol L^-1) at five days after the second labeling. This corresponded to 1.5-7.2% of the total CH₄ pool to be oxidized, depending on depth. This novel approach with belowground in-situ ¹³C labeling of gases demonstrated the suitability of tracing the transformations of these gases in soil depth by PDCs and for the first time verified the in-situ occurrence of a deep-peat CH₄ oxidation.

Carbon isotopic characterisation and oxidation of UK landfill methane emissions by atmospheric measurements

Biological oxidation of methane in landfill cover material can be calculated from the carbon isotopic signature (δ¹³C_CH4) of emitted CH_4. Enhanced microbial consumption of methane in the aerobic portion of the landfill cover is indicated by a shift to heavier (less depleted) isotopic values in the residual methane emitted to air. This study was conducted at four landfill sites in southwest England. Measurement of CH₄ using a mobile vehicle mounted instrument at the four sites was coupled with Flexfoil bag sampling of ambient air for high-precision isotope analysis. Gas well collection systems were sampled to estimate landfill oxidised proportion. Closed or active status, seasonal variation, cap stripping and site closure impact on landfill isotopic signature were also assessed. The δ¹³C_CH4 values ranged from -60 to -54‰, with an average value of -57 ± 2‰. Methane emissions from active cells are more depleted in ¹³C than closed sites. Methane oxidation, estimated from the isotope fractionation, ranged from 2.6 to 38.2%, with mean values of 9.5% for active and 16.2% for closed landfills, indicating that oxidised proportion is highly site specific.

Stable isotopic determination of methane oxidation: When smaller scales are better

Stable isotope measurements are an effective tool for evaluating methane (CH₄) consumption in landfill soils. However, determining the extent of CH₄ oxidation in soils using this approach can be inherently biased, depending on characteristics of the study site and the sampling strategy that is employed. In this study, we establish the unusual case that sampling at smaller scales captures a better representation of the degree of oxidation occurring in landfill cover soils. We did this by comparing three techniques (Plume, Probe, and Transect) that vary in the location of sampling within a site and in the areal footprint of each sample. The Plume method yielded estimates of CH₄ oxidation that were 13-16% lower than the Transect and Probe methods, respectively. The Probe and Transect methods, two relatively small-scale and high resolution methods, the latter of which has not been previously described, are best suited to quantify CH₄ oxidation in landfill soils as they demonstrably overcome the tendency of stable isotope methods to underestimate CH₄ oxidation at the landfill scale. We recommend the use of these two sampling methods for monitoring the efficacy of landfill CH₄ reduction strategies that are desired to help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

A steady-state analytical profile method for determining methane oxidation in landfill cover

Gas concentration profiles of carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrogen (N₂) are usually measured during tests investigating microbial aerobic methane oxidation in landfill cover. However, only qualitative/limited information can be obtained from gas concentration profiles by existing methods. A new method is proposed to determine methane oxidation in soil quantitatively and comprehensively, including methane oxidation efficiency, stoichiometry, gas transfer mechanism, methane generation rate and gas reaction rate distributions. Governing equations are established based on mass balance for O₂, CO₂, CH₄ and N₂ at one-dimensional and steady-state condition. Gas transfer mechanisms considered include gas diffusion, advection and gas reaction. The method utilizes gas concentration profiles to determine gas diffusion for each gas component according to Fick's law. Then gas advections and reactions can be determined by mass balance. The method is validated by (i) published soil column tests investigating methane oxidation and (ii) a calibrated numerical model based on a selected soil column test. The new method is capable of determining methane oxidation efficiency, stoichiometry, gas transfer mechanism, methane generation rate and gas reaction rate distributions for CH₄, CO₂ and O₂.

Termite mounds mitigate half of termite methane emissions

Termites are responsible for ∼1 to 3% of global methane (CH₄) emissions. However, estimates of global termite CH₄ emissions span two orders of magnitude, suggesting that fundamental knowledge of CH₄ turnover processes in termite colonies is missing. In particular, there is little reliable information on the extent and location of microbial CH₄ oxidation in termite mounds. Here, we use a one-box model to unify three independent field methods-a gas-tracer test, an inhibitor approach, and a stable-isotope technique-and quantify CH₄ production, oxidation, and transport in three North Australian termite species with different feeding habits and mound architectures. We present systematic in situ evidence of widespread CH₄ oxidation in termite mounds, with 20 to 80% of termite-produced CH₄ being mitigated before emission to the atmosphere. Furthermore, closing the CH₄ mass balance in mounds allows us to estimate in situ termite biomass from CH₄ turnover, with mean biomass ranging between 22 and 86 g of termites per kilogram of mound for the three species. Field tests with excavated mounds show that the predominant location of CH₄ oxidation is either in the mound material or the soil beneath and is related to species-specific mound porosities. Regardless of termite species, however, our data and model suggest that the fraction of oxidized CH₄ (f _ox) remains well buffered due to links among consumption, oxidation, and transport processes via mound CH₄ concentration. The mean f _ox of 0.50 ± 0.11 (95% CI) from in situ measurements therefore presents a valid oxidation factor for future global estimates of termite CH₄ emissions.

Distribution and isotopic signature of deep gases in submerged soils in an island of the Lower Delta of the Paraná River, Argentina

Subsoil CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations, δ¹³C-CH₄ and δ¹³C-CO₂ signatures, total organic carbon (TOC) and δ¹³C-TOC, together with C/N ratio of organic matter, were evaluated throughout a soil profile up to the atmosphere to understand the dynamics of CH₄ and CO₂ in the waterlogged environment of an island of the Lower Delta of the Paraná River, Argentina. The analysis of the vertical profile showed that a significant fraction of CH₄ exists as gas trapped within the sediment column, compared to CH₄ dissolved in soil solution. CH₄ concentration measurements in sub-saturated soils showed that free CH₄ is 1 order of magnitude smaller than CH₄ recovered from soil cores by ultrasonic degassing. The highest concentrations of CH₄ occurred at the 90-120-cm layer. At this depth, δ¹³C-CH₄ values resulting from methanogenesis were around - 71‰, which is well within the range of CH₄ produced from CO₂ reduction, and δ¹³C values of the associated CO₂ were enriched (~ - 7‰). Isotope mass balance models used to calculate the fraction of oxidized CH₄ indicated that around 30% of the CH₄ produced was oxidized prior to atmospheric release. In contrast to methanogenesis, during oxidation processes δ¹³C-CH₄ shifts to more positive values. The mineralogical, textural, isotopic, and geochemical characterization of subsoil sediments with abundant organic matter, like Paraná Delta, demonstrated that CH₄ storage capacity of the soil, production, consumption, and transport are the main factors in regulating the actual flux rates of CH₄ to the atmosphere.

Methodology to determine the extent of anaerobic digestion, composting and CH4 oxidation in a landfill environment

An examination of the processes contributing to the production of landfill greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is required, as the actual level to which waste degrades anaerobically and aerobically beneath covers has not been differentiated. This paper presents a methodology to distinguish between the rate of anaerobic digestion (r_AD), composting (r_COM) and CH₄ oxidation (r_OX) in a landfill environment, by means of a system of mass balances developed for molecular species (CH₄, CO₂) and stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C-CO₂ and δ¹³C-CH₄). The technique was applied at two sampling locations on a sloped area of landfill. Four sampling rounds were performed over an 18 month period after a 1.0 m layer of fresh waste and 30-50 cm of silty clay loam had been placed over the area. Static chambers were used to measure the flux of the molecular and isotope species at the surface and soil gas probes were used to collect gas samples at depths of approximately 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m. Mass balances were based on the surface flux and the concentration of the molecular and isotopic species at the deepest sampling depth. The sensitivity of calculated rates was considered by randomly varying stoichiometric and isotopic parameters by ±5% to generate at least 500 calculations of r_OX, r_AD and r_COM for each location in each sampling round. The resulting average value of r_AD and r_COM indicated anaerobic digestion and composting were equally dominant at both locations. Average values of r_COM: ranged from 9.8 to 44.5 g CO₂ m^-2 d^-1 over the four sampling rounds, declining monotonically at one site and rising then falling at the other. Average values of r_AD: ranged from 10.6 to 45.3 g CO₂ m^-2 d^-1. Although the highest average r_AD value occurred in the initial sampling round, all subsequent r_AD values fell between 10 and 20 g CO₂ m^-2 d^-1. r_OX had the smallest activity contribution at both sites, with averages ranging from 1.6 to 8.6 g CO₂ m^-2 d^-1. This study has demonstrated that for an interim cover, composting and anaerobic digestion of shallow landfill waste can occur simultaneously.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled with extracellular electron transfer to electrodes

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is an important process for understanding the global flux of methane and its relation to the global carbon cycle. Although AOM is known to be coupled to reductions of sulfate, nitrite, and nitrate, evidence that AOM is coupled with extracellular electron transfer (EET) to conductive solids is relatively insufficient. Here, we demonstrate EET-dependent AOM in a biofilm anode dominated by Geobacter spp. and Methanobacterium spp. using carbon-fiber electrodes as the terminal electron sink. The steady-state current density was kept at 11.0 ± 1.3 mA/m² in a microbial electrochemical cell, and isotopic experiments supported AOM-EET to the anode. Fluorescence in situ hybridization images and metagenome results suggest that Methanobacterium spp. may work synergistically with Geobacter spp. to allow AOM, likely by employing intermediate (formate or H₂)-dependent inter-species electron transport. Since metal oxides are widely present in sedimentary and terrestrial environments, an AOM-EET niche would have implications for minimizing the net global emissions of methane.

Methane oxidation in a biofilter (Part 2): A lab-scale experiment for model calibration

In this study an experimental study on a biological methane oxidation column presented with the aim to calibrate a mathematical model developed in an earlier study. The column was designed to reproduce at lab-scale a real biofilter trying to consider the more probable landfill boundary conditions. Although the methane oxidation efficiency in the column was lower than the expected (around 35%), an appropriate model implementation showed an acceptable agreement between the outcomes data of the model simulation and the experimental data (with Theil's Inequality Coefficient value of 0.08). A calibrated model allows a better management of the biofilter performance in terms of methane oxidation.

The relative contribution of methanotrophs to microbial communities and carbon cycling in soil overlying a coal-bed methane seep

Seepage of coal-bed methane (CBM) through soils is a potential source of atmospheric CH4 and also a likely source of ancient (i.e. (14) C-dead) carbon to soil microbial communities. Natural abundance (13) C and (14) C compositions of bacterial membrane phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and soil gas CO2 and CH4 were used to assess the incorporation of CBM-derived carbon into methanotrophs and other members of the soil microbial community. Concentrations of type I and type II methanotroph PLFA biomarkers (16:1ω8c and 18:1ω8c, respectively) were elevated in CBM-impacted soils compared with a control site. Comparison of PLFA and 16s rDNA data suggested type I and II methanotroph populations were well estimated and overestimated by their PLFA biomarkers, respectively. The δ(13) C values of PLFAs common in type I and II methanotrophs were as negative as -67‰ and consistent with the assimilation of CBM. PLFAs more indicative of nonmethanotrophic bacteria had δ(13) C values that were intermediate indicating assimilation of both plant- and CBM-derived carbon. Δ(14) C values of select PLFAs (-351 to -936‰) indicated similar patterns of CBM assimilation by methanotrophs and nonmethanotrophs and were used to estimate that 35-91% of carbon assimilated by nonmethanotrophs was derived from CBM depending on time of sampling and soil depth.

Scaling methane oxidation: from laboratory incubation experiments to landfill cover field conditions

Evaluating field-scale methane oxidation in landfill cover soils using numerical models is gaining interest in the solid waste industry as research has made it clear that methane oxidation in the field is a complex function of climatic conditions, soil type, cover design, and incoming flux of landfill gas from the waste mass. Numerical models can account for these parameters as they change with time and space under field conditions. In this study, we developed temperature, and water content correction factors for methane oxidation parameters. We also introduced a possible correction to account for the different soil structure under field conditions. These parameters were defined in laboratory incubation experiments performed on homogenized soil specimens and were used to predict the actual methane oxidation rates to be expected under field conditions. Water content and temperature corrections factors were obtained for the methane oxidation rate parameter to be used when modeling methane oxidation in the field. To predict in situ measured rates of methane with the model it was necessary to set the half saturation constant of methane and oxygen, K(m), to 5%, approximately five times larger than laboratory measured values. We hypothesize that this discrepancy reflects differences in soil structure between homogenized soil conditions in the lab and actual aggregated soil structure in the field. When all of these correction factors were re-introduced into the oxidation module of our model, it was able to reproduce surface emissions (as measured by static flux chambers) and percent oxidation (as measured by stable isotope techniques) within the range measured in the field.

Observations on the methane oxidation capacity of landfill soils

The objective of this study was to determine the role of CH(4) loading to a landfill cover in the control of CH(4) oxidation rate (gCH(4)m(-2)d(-1)) and CH(4) oxidation efficiency (% CH(4) oxidation) in a field setting. Specifically, we wanted to assess how much CH(4) a cover soil could handle. To achieve this objective we conducted synoptic measurements of landfill CH(4) emission and CH(4) oxidation in a single season at two Southeastern USA landfills. We hypothesized that percent oxidation would be greatest at sites of low CH(4) emission and would decrease as CH(4) emission rates increased. The trends in the experimental results were then compared to the predictions of two differing numerical models designed to simulate gas transport in landfill covers, one by modeling transport by diffusion only and the second allowing both advection and diffusion. In both field measurements and in modeling, we found that percent oxidation is a decreasing exponential function of the total CH(4) flux rate (CH(4) loading) into the cover. When CH(4) is supplied, a cover's rate of CH(4) uptake (gCH(4)m(-2)d(-2)) is linear to a point, after which the system becomes saturated. Both field data and modeling results indicate that percent oxidation should not be considered as a constant value. Percent oxidation is a changing quantity and is a function of cover type, climatic conditions and CH(4) loading to the bottom of the cover. The data indicate that an effective way to increase the % oxidation of a landfill cover is to limit the amount of CH(4) delivered to it.

Reporting central tendencies of chamber measured surface emission and oxidation

Methane emissions, concentrations, and oxidation were measured on eleven MSW landfills in eleven states spanning from California to Pennsylvania during the three year study. The flux measurements were performed using a static chamber technique. Initial concentration samples were collected immediately after placement of the flux chamber. Oxidation of the emitted methane was evaluated using stable isotope techniques. When reporting overall surface emissions and percent oxidation for a landfill cover, central tendencies are typically used to report "averages" of the collected data. The objective of this study was to determine the best way to determine and report central tendencies. Results showed that 89% of the data sets of collected surface flux have lognormal distributions, 83% of the surface concentration data sets are also lognormal. Sixty seven percent (67%) of the isotope measured percent oxidation data sets are normally distributed. The distribution of data for all eleven landfills provides insight of the central tendencies of emissions, concentrations, and percent oxidation. When reporting the "average" measurement for both flux and concentration data collected at the surface of a landfill, statistical analyses provided insight supporting the use of the geometric mean. But the arithmetic mean can accurately represent the percent oxidation, as measured with the stable isotope technique. We examined correlations between surface CH(4) emissions and surface air CH(4) concentrations. Correlation of the concentration and flux values using the geometric mean proved to be a good fit (R(2)=0.86), indicating that surface scans are a good way of identifying locations of high emissions.

Use of gas push-pull tests for the measurement of methane oxidation in different landfill cover soils

In order to optimise methane oxidation in landfill cover soils, it is important to be able to accurately quantify the amount of methane oxidised. This research considers the gas push-pull test (GPPT) as a possible method to quantify oxidation rates in situ. During a GPPT, a gas mixture consisting of one or more reactive gases (e.g., CH(4), O(2)) and one or more conservative tracers (e.g., argon), is injected into the soil. Following this, the mixture of injected gas and soil air is extracted from the same location and periodically sampled. The kinetic parameters for the biological oxidation taking place in the soil can be derived from the differences in the breakthrough curves. The original method of Urmann et al. (2005) was optimised for application in landfill cover soils and modified to reduce the analytical effort required. Optimised parameters included the flow rate during the injection phase and the duration of the experiment. 50 GPPTs have been conducted at different landfills in Germany during different seasons. Generally, methane oxidation rates ranged between 0 and 150 g m(soil air)(-3)h(-1). At one location, rates up to 440 g m(soil air)(-3)h(-1) were measured under particularly favourable conditions. The method is simple in operation and does not require expensive equipment besides standard laboratory gas chromatographs.

Microbial methane oxidation processes and technologies for mitigation of landfill gas emissions

Landfill gas containing methane is produced by anaerobic degradation of organic waste. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas and landfills are one of the major anthropogenic sources of atmospheric methane. Landfill methane may be oxidized by methanotrophic microorganisms in soils or waste materials utilizing oxygen that diffuses into the cover layer from the atmosphere. The methane oxidation process, which is governed by several environmental factors, can be exploited in engineered systems developed for methane emission mitigation. Mathematical models that account for methane oxidation can be used to predict methane emissions from landfills. Additional research and technology development is needed before methane mitigation technologies utilizing microbial methane oxidation processes can become commercially viable and widely deployed.

Approaches to assess biocover performance on landfills

Methane emissions from active or closed landfills can be reduced by means of methane oxidation enhanced in properly designed landfill covers, known as "biocovers". Biocovers usually consist of a coarse gas distribution layer to balance gas fluxes placed beneath an appropriate substrate layer. The application of such covers implies use of measurement methods and evaluation approaches, both during the planning stage and throughout the operation of biocovers in order to demonstrate their efficiency. Principally, various techniques, commonly used to monitor landfill surface emissions, can be applied to control biocovers. However, particularly when using engineered materials such as compost substrates, biocovers often feature several altered, specific properties when compared to conventional covers, e.g., respect to gas permeability, physical parameters including water retention capacity and texture, and methane oxidation activity. Therefore, existing measuring methods should be carefully evaluated or even modified prior to application on biocovers. This paper discusses possible strategies to be applied in monitoring biocover functionality. On the basis of experiences derived from investigations and large-scale field trials with compost biocovers in Austria, an assessment approach has been developed. A conceptual draft for monitoring biocover performance and recommendations for practical application are presented.

Methane oxidation in landfill cover soils, is a 10% default value reasonable?

We reviewed literature results from 42 determinations of the fraction of methane oxidized and 30 determinations of methane oxidation rate in a variety of soil types and landfill covers. Both column measurements and in situ field measurements were included. The means for the fraction of methane oxidized on transit across the soil covers ranged from 22 to 55% from clayey to sandy material. Mean values for oxidation rate ranged from 3.7 to 6.4 mol m(-2) d(-1) (52-102 g m(-2) d(-1)) for the different soil types. The overall mean fraction oxidized across all studies was 36% with a standard error of 6%. The overall mean oxidation rate across all studies was 4.5 mol m(-2) d(-1) +/- 1.0 (72 +/- 16 g m(-2)d(-1)). For the subset of 15 studies conducted over an annual cycle the fraction of methane oxidized ranged from 11 to 89% with a mean value of 35 +/- 6%, nearly identical to the overall mean. Nine of these studies were conducted in north Florida at 30 degrees N latitude and had a fraction oxidized of 27 +/- 4%. Five studies were conducted in northern Europe ( approximately 50-55 degrees N) and exhibited an average of 54 +/- 14%. One study, conducted in New Hampshire, had a value of 10%. The results indicate that the fraction of methane oxidized in landfill greater than the default value of 10%. Of the 42 determinations of methane oxidation reported, only four report values of 10% or less.

Isotope fractionation factors of N2O diffusion

Isotopic signatures of N2O are increasingly used to constrain the total global flux and the relative contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N2O emissions. Interpretation of isotopic signatures of soil-emitted N2O can be complicated by the isotopic effects of gas diffusion. The aim of our study was to measure the isotopic fractionation factors of diffusion for the isotopologues of N2O and to estimate the potential effect of diffusive fractionation during N2O fluxes from soils using simple simulations. Diffusion experiments were conducted to monitor isotopic signatures of N2O in reservoirs that lost N2O by defined diffusive fluxes. Two different mathematical approaches were used to derive diffusive isotope fractionation factors for 18O (epsilon18O), average 15N (epsilonbulk) and 15N of the central (alpha(-)) and peripheral (beta(-)) position within the linear N2O molecule (epsilon15Nalpha, epsilon15Nbeta). The measured epsilon18O was -7.79 +/- 0.27 per thousand and thus higher than the theoretical value of -8.7 per thousand. Conversely, the measured epsilonbulk (-5.23 +/- 0.27 per thousand) was lower than the theoretical value (-4.4 per thousand). The measured site-specific 15N fractionation factors were not equal, giving a difference between epsilon15Nalpha and epsilon15Nbeta (epsilonSP) of 1.55 +/- 0.28 per thousand. Diffusive fluxes of the N2O isotopologues from the soil pore space to the atmosphere were simulated, showing that isotopic signatures of N2O source pools and emitted N2O can be substantially different during periods of non-steady state fluxes. Our results show that diffusive isotope fractionation should be taken into account when interpreting natural abundance isotopic signatures of N2O fluxes from soils.

Transport of methane and noble gases during gas push-pull tests in variably saturated porous media

The gas push-pull test (GPPT) is a single-well gas-tracer method to quantify in situ rates of CH4 oxidation in soils. To improve the design and interpretation of GPPT field experiments, gas component transport during GPPTs was examined in abiotic porous media over a range of water saturations (0.0 < or = Sw < or = 0.61). A series of GPPTs using He, Ne, and Ar as tracers for CH4 were performed at two injection/extraction gas flow rates (approximately 200 and approximately 700 mL min(-1)) in a laboratory tank. Extraction phase breakthrough curves and mass recovery curves of the gaseous components became more similar at higher Sw as water in the pore space restricted diffusive gas-phase transport. Diffusional fractionation of the stable carbon isotopes of CH4 during the extraction period of GPPTs also decreased with increasing Sw (particularly when Sw > 0.42). Gas-component transport during GPPTs was numerically simulated using estimated hydraulic parameters for the porous media and no fitting of data for the GPPTs. Numerical simulations accurately predicted the relative decline of the gaseous components in the breakthrough curves, but slightly overestimated recoveries at low Sw (< or = 0.35) and underestimated recoveries at high Sw (> or = 0.49). Comparison of numerical simulations considering and not considering air-water partitioning indicated that removal of gaseous components through dissolution in pore water was not significant during GPPTs, even at Sw = 0.61. These data indicate that Ar is a good tracer for CH4 physical transport over the full range of Sw studied, whereas, at Sw > 0.61, any of the tracers could be used. Greater mass recovery at higher Sw raises the possibility to reduce gas flow rates, thereby extending GPPT times in environments such as tundra soils where low activity due to low temperatures may require longer test times to establish a quantifiable difference between reactant and tracer breakthrough curves.

Mitigation of global greenhouse gas emissions from waste: conclusions and strategies from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. Working Group III (Mitigation)

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from post-consumer waste and wastewater are a small contributor (about 3%) to total global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Emissions for 2004-2005 totalled 1.4 Gt CO2-eq year(-1) relative to total emissions from all sectors of 49 Gt CO2-eq year(-1) [including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and F-gases normalized according to their 100-year global warming potentials (GWP)]. The CH4 from landfills and wastewater collectively accounted for about 90% of waste sector emissions, or about 18% of global anthropogenic methane emissions (which were about 14% of the global total in 2004). Wastewater N2O and CO2 from the incineration of waste containing fossil carbon (plastics; synthetic textiles) are minor sources. Due to the wide range of mature technologies that can mitigate GHG emissions from waste and provide public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development co-benefits, existing waste management practices can provide effective mitigation of GHG emissions from this sector. Current mitigation technologies include landfill gas recovery, improved landfill practices, and engineered wastewater management. In addition, significant GHG generation is avoided through controlled composting, state-of-the-art incineration, and expanded sanitation coverage. Reduced waste generation and the exploitation of energy from waste (landfill gas, incineration, anaerobic digester biogas) produce an indirect reduction of GHG emissions through the conservation of raw materials, improved energy and resource efficiency, and fossil fuel avoidance. Flexible strategies and financial incentives can expand waste management options to achieve GHG mitigation goals; local technology decisions are influenced by a variety of factors such as waste quantity and characteristics, cost and financing issues, infrastructure requirements including available land area, collection and transport considerations, and regulatory constraints. Existing studies on mitigation potentials and costs for the waste sector tend to focus on landfill CH4 as the baseline. The commercial recovery of landfill CH4 as a source of renewable energy has been practised at full scale since 1975 and currently exceeds 105 Mt CO2-eq year(-1). Although landfill CH4 emissions from developed countries have been largely stabilized, emissions from developing countries are increasing as more controlled (anaerobic) landfilling practices are implemented; these emissions could be reduced by accelerating the introduction of engineered gas recovery, increasing rates of waste minimization and recycling, and implementing alternative waste management strategies provided they are affordable, effective, and sustainable. Aided by Kyoto mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI), the total global economic mitigation potential for reducing waste sector emissions in 2030 is estimated to be > 1000 Mt CO2-eq (or 70% of estimated emissions) at costs below 100 US$ t(-1) CO2-eq year(-1). An estimated 20-30% of projected emissions for 2030 can be reduced at negative cost and 30-50% at costs < 20 US$ t(-) CO2-eq year(-1). As landfills produce CH4 for several decades, incineration and composting are complementary mitigation measures to landfill gas recovery in the short- to medium-term--at the present time, there are > 130 Mt waste year(-1) incinerated at more than 600 plants. Current uncertainties with respect to emissions and mitigation potentials could be reduced by more consistent national definitions, coordinated international data collection, standardized data analysis, field validation of models, and consistent application of life-cycle assessment tools inclusive of fossil fuel offsets.

Improved field methods to quantify methane oxidation in landfill cover materials using stable carbon isotopes

Stable carbon isotopes provide a robust approach toward quantification of methanotrophic activity in landfill covers. The field method often applied to date has compared the delta13C of emitted to anaerobic zone CH4. Recent laboratory mass balance studies have indicated thatthis approach tends to underestimate CH4 oxidation. Therefore, we examined the CH4-delta13C at various soil depths in field settings and compared these values to emitted CH4. At 5-10 cm depth, we observed the most enrichment in CH4-delta13C (-46.0 to -32.1 per thousand). Emitted CH4-delta13C was more negative, ranging from -56.5 to -43.0 per thousand. The decrease in CH4-delta13C values from the shallow subsurface to the surface is the result of processes that result in selective emission of 12CH4 and selective retention of 13CH4 within the soil. Seasonal percent oxidation was calculated at seven sites representing four cover materials. Probe samples averaged greater (21 +/- 2%, p < 0.001, n = 7) oxidation than emitted CH4 data. We argue that calculations of fraction oxidized based on soil derived CH4 should yield upper limit values. When considered with emitted CH4 values, this combined approach will more realistically bracket the actual oxidation value. Following this guideline, we found the percent oxidation to be 23 +/- 3% and 38 +/- 16% for four soil and three compost covers, respectively.

Modelling of stable isotope fractionation by methane oxidation and diffusion in landfill cover soils

A technique to measure biological methane oxidation in landfill cover soils that is gaining increased interest is the measurement of stable isotope fractionation in the methane. Usually to quantify methane oxidation, only fractionation by oxidation is taken into account. Recently it was shown that neglecting the isotope fractionation by diffusion results in underestimation of the methane oxidation. In this study a simulation model was developed that describes gas transport and methane oxidation in landfill cover soils. The model distinguishes between 12CH4, 13CH4, and 12CH3D explicitly, and includes isotope fractionation by diffusion and oxidation. To evaluate the model, the simulations were compared with column experiments from previous studies. The predicted concentration profiles and isotopic profiles match the measured ones very well, with a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 1.7 vol% in the concentration and a RMSD of 0.8 per thousand in the delta13C value, with delta13C the relative 13C abundance as compared to an international standard. Overall, the comparison shows that a model-based isotope approach for the determination of methane oxidation efficiencies is feasible and superior to existing isotope methods.

Methanotrophic activity in a diffusive methane/oxygen counter-gradient in an unsaturated porous medium

Microbial methane (CH4) oxidation is a main control on emissions of this important greenhouse gas from ecosystems such as contaminated aquifers or wetlands under aerobic onditions. Due to a lack of suitable model systems, we designed a laboratory column to study this process in diffusional CH4/O2 counter-gradients in unsaturated porous media. Analysis and simulations of the steady-state CH4, CO2 and O2 gas profiles showed that in a 15-cm-deep active zone, CH4 oxidation followed first-order kinetics with respect to CH4 with a high apparent first-order rate constant of approximately 30 h(-1). Total cell counts obtained using DAPI-staining suggested growth of methanotrophic bacteria, resulting in a high capacity for CH4 oxidation. This together with apparent tolerance to anoxic conditions enabled a rapid response of the methanotrophic community to changing substrate availability, which was induced by changes in O2 concentrations at the top of the column. Microbial oxidation was confirmed by a approximately 7 per thousand enrichment in CH4 stable carbon isotope ratios along profiles. Using a fractionation factor of 1.025+/-0.0005 for microbial oxidation estimated from this shift and the fractionation factor for diffusion, simulations of isotope profiles agreed well with measured data confirming large fractionation associated with microbial oxidation. The designed column should be valuable for investigating response of methanotrophic bacteria to environmental parameters in future studies.

Methane oxidation in Swedish landfills quantified with the stable carbon isotope technique in combination with an optical method for emitted methane

Methane budgets (production = emissions + oxidation + recovery) were estimated for six landfill sites in Sweden. Methane oxidation was measured in downwind plumes with a stable isotope technique (Chanton, J. P., et al., Environ. Sci Technol. 1999, 33, 3755-3760.) Positions in plumes for isotope sampling as well as methane emissions were determined with an optical instrument (Fourier Transform InfraRed) in combination with N20 as tracer gas (Galle, B., et al., Environ. Sci Technol. 2001, 35, 21-25.) Two landfills had been closed for years prior to the measurements, while four were active. Measurements at comparable soil temperatures showed that the two closed landfills had a significantly higher fraction of oxidized methane (38-42% of emission) relative to the four active landfills (4.6-15% of emission). These results highlight the importance of installing and maintaining effective landfill covers and also indicate that substantial amounts of methane escape from active landfills. Based on these results we recommend that the IPCC default values for methane oxidation in managed landfills could be set to 10% for active sites and 20% for closed sites. Gas recovery was found to be highly variable at the different sites, with values from 14% up to 65% of total methane production. The variance can be attributed to different waste management practices.

Methane oxidation in biofilters measured by mass-balance and stable isotope methods

Simultaneous flux and isotope measurements on compost and sand biofilters showed that the fraction of CH4 oxidized, calculated from delta13C measurements using a closed system model (f(oxir,C)), averaged only 0.455 of the fraction oxidized based on mass-balance measurements (f(oxm)). The discrepancy between f(oxm) and f(oxir,C) may be partly due to complete oxidation of a portion of the inflow gas, thereby eliminating its contribution to the emitted methane on which isotopic measurements are conducted. To relate f(oxir,C) and f(oxm) a simple binary closed-system model is proposed that assumes that f(oxir,C) refers to only part of the inflow, P, and that the remainder of inflow (1 - P) is completely oxidized before reaching the outlet. This model is compared to the standard open-system model. The H-isotope fraction oxidized (f(oxir,H)) was determined for a subset of samples and found to be not significantly different from f(oxir,C). The carbon isotope fractionation factor, alphaox,C = 1.0244, and the H-isotope fractionation factor, alphaox,H = 1.2370, were determined by incubation studies. Delta13C measurements indicated that the emitted flow was more strongly oxidized by the compost biofilters (f(oxir,C) = 0.362, f(oxm) = 0.757) than the sand biofilters (f(oxir,C) = 0.222, f(oxm) = 0.609).

Use of a biologically active cover to reduce landfill methane emissions and enhance methane oxidation

Biologically-active landfill cover soils (biocovers) that serve to minimize CH4 emissions by optimizing CH4 oxidation were investigated at a landfill in Florida, USA. The biocover consisted of 50 cm pre-composted yard or garden waste placed over a 10-15 cm gas distribution layer (crushed glass) over a 40-100 cm interim cover. The biocover cells reduced CH4 emissions by a factor of 10 and doubled the percentage of CH4 oxidation relative to control cells. The thickness and moisture-holding capacity of the biocover resulted in increased retention times for transported CH4. This increased retention of CH4 in the biocover resulted in a higher fraction oxidized. Overall rates between the two covers were similar, about 2g CH4 m(-2)d(-1), but because CH4 entered the biocover from below at a slower rate relative to the soil cover, a higher percentage was oxidized. In part, methane oxidation controlled the net flux of CH4 to the atmosphere. The biocover cells became more effective than the control sites in oxidizing CH4 3 months after their initial placement: the mean percent oxidation for the biocover cells was 41% compared to 14% for the control cells (p<0.001). Following the initial 3 months, we also observed 29 (27%) negative CH4 fluxes and 27 (25%) zero fluxes in the biocover cells but only 6 (6%) negative fluxes and 22 (21%) zero fluxes for the control cells. Negative fluxes indicate uptake of atmospheric CH4. If the zero and negative fluxes are assumed to represent 100% oxidation, then the mean percent oxidation for the biocover and control cells, respectively, for the same period would increase to 64% and 30%.

Methane flux and oxidation at two types of intermediate landfill covers

Methane emissions were measured on two areas at a Florida (USA) landfill using the static chamber technique. Because existing literature contains few measurements of methane emissions and oxidation in intermediate cover areas, this study focused on field measurement of emissions at 15-cm-thick non-vegetated intermediate cover overlying 1-year-old waste and a 45-cm-thick vegetated intermediate cover overlying 7-year-old waste. The 45 cm thick cover can also simulate non-engineered covers associated with older closed landfills. Oxidation of the emitted methane was evaluated using stable isotope techniques. The arithmetic means of the measured fluxes were 54 and 22 g CH(4) m(-2)d(-1) from the thin cover and the thick cover, respectively. The peak flux was 596 g m(-2)d(-1) for the thin cover and 330 g m(-2)d(-1) for the thick cover. The mean percent oxidation was significantly greater (25%) at the thick cover relative to the thin cover (14%). This difference only partly accounted for the difference in emissions from the two sites. Inverse distance weighing was used to describe the spatial variation of flux emissions from each cover type. The geospatial mean flux was 21.6 g m(-2)d(-1) for the thick intermediate cover and 50.0 g m(-2)d(-1) for the thin intermediate cover. High emission zones in the thick cover were fewer and more isolated, while high emission zones in the thin cover were continuous and covered a larger area. These differences in the emission patterns suggest that different CH(4) mitigation techniques should be applied to the two areas. For the thick intermediate cover, we suggest that effective mitigation of methane emissions could be achieved by placement of individualized compost cells over high emission zones. Emissions from the thin intermediate cover, on the other hand, can be mitigated by placing a compost layer over the entire area.

Methane mass balance at three landfill sites: what is the efficiency of capture by gas collection systems?

Many developed countries have targeted landfill methane recovery among greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, since methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Major questions remain with respect to actual methane production rates in field settings and the relative mass of methane that is recovered, emitted, oxidized by methanotrophic bacteria, laterally migrated, or temporarily stored within the landfill volume. This paper presents the results of extensive field campaigns at three landfill sites to elucidate the total methane balance and provide field measurements to quantify these pathways. We assessed the overall methane mass balance in field cells with a variety of designs, cover materials, and gas management strategies. Sites included different cell configurations, including temporary clay cover, final clay cover, geosynthetic clay liners, and geomembrane composite covers, and cells with and without gas collection systems. Methane emission rates ranged from -2.2 to >10,000 mg CH(4) m(-2) d(-1). Total methane oxidation rates ranged from 4% to 50% of the methane flux through the cover at sites with positive emissions. Oxidation of atmospheric methane was occurring in vegetated soils above a geomembrane. The results of these studies were used as the basis for guidelines by the French environment agency (ADEME) for default values for percent recovery: 35% for an operating cell with an active landfill gas (LFG) recovery system, 65% for a temporary covered cell with an active LFG recovery system, 85% for a cell with clay final cover and active LFG recovery, and 90% for a cell with a geomembrane final cover and active LFG recovery.

Carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionation by microbial methane oxidation: improved determination

Isotope fractionation is a promising tool for quantifying methane oxidation in landfill cover soils. For good quantification an accurate determination of the isotope fractionation factor (alpha) of methane oxidation based on independent batch experiments with soil samples from the landfill cover is required. Most studies so far used data analysis methods based on approximations of the Rayleigh model to determine alpha. In this study, the two most common approximations were tested, the simplified Rayleigh approach and the Coleman method. To do this, the original model of Rayleigh was described in measurable variables, methane concentration and isotopic abundances, and fitted to batch oxidation data by means of a weighted non-linear errors-in-variables regression technique. The results of this technique were used as a benchmark to which the results of the two conventional approximations were compared. Three types of batch data were used: simulated data, data obtained from the literature, and data obtained from new batch experiments conducted in our laboratory. The Coleman approximation was shown to be acceptable but not recommended for carbon fractionation (error on alpha-1 up to 5%) and unacceptable for hydrogen fractionation (error up to 20%). The difference between the simplified Rayleigh approach and the exact Rayleigh model is much smaller for both carbon and hydrogen fractionation (error on alpha-1<0.05%). There is also a small difference when errors in both variables (methane concentration and isotope abundance) are accounted for instead of assuming an error-free independent variable. By means of theoretical calculations general criteria, not limited to methane, (13)C, or D, were developed for the validity of the simplified Rayleigh approach when using labelled compounds.