ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER IN LANDFILLS: BIOGAS EMISSIONS AND LOCATION

• Published in: Dyna 2013-03, Vol.88 (2), p.166-170
• Main Authors: Colomer, F J, Daras, F G, Peris, V V, Prats, L H, Martinez, FR
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 0012-7361

The main objective of this study was to identify environmental aspects that are taken into account when environmental clearance to projects in landfills is granted. When a landfill project and its corresponding environmental impact study is submitted to the administrative procedure of environmental impact assessment, the environmental agency granted authorization by means of the environmental impact statement. The environmental impact statement, also details the environmental aspects must be integrated into the project. Thus, this article has identified the geomorphology, surface hydrology, air quality and groundwater as environmental factors that are considered the more environmental impact statements consulted. In addition, other factors such as noise and vibrations, flora, landscape, cultural heritage, wildlife and waste management, are also taken into account in most of the statements. Secondly, we analyzed in the 175 landfills in Spanish the level of compliance with current regulations regarding these environmental aspects and including the proximity to airports by their associated risk. Thus, it has been shown the high degree of compliance with the waste disposal facilities of the Spanish rules and regulations of a hypothetical influenced by countries with greater restrictions on the site. Thirdly, there has been an inventory of methane emissions from Spanish landfills and has raised the same impact on the greenhouse effect, so as to contrast two different scenarios: one that would not burn the biogas and one that will be recovered completely to generate power.