Reduction of methane emission from landfill using biocover as a biomitigation system: A review

Abstract

Methane (CH₄) emission from landfills ranks as the third major source of anthropogenic emission. It has been observed that atmospheric CH₄ concentration is more than doubled in last 150 years.CH₄ has 23 times more global warming potential (GWP) than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Therefore, the growth and field application of cost-effective techniques are essential for decreasing the rate of CH₄ emissions from landfills to minimize the associated risk of global warming and human health. Microbial oxidation of CH₄ has been universally observed in a variety of biomitigation system. The present paper attempts to describe the key issues linked with CH₄ oxidation process in landfill biocover and the underlying kinetics of CH₄ oxidation. Influence of several controlling parameters, such as CH₄ and oxygen concentration, properties of the cover material, temperature, moisture, pH on CH₄ oxidation in landfill biocover system is also discussed.