Evaluation of alternative landfill cover soils for attenuating hydrogen sulfide from construction and demolition (C&D) debris landfills

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2007-08, Vol.84 (3), p.314-322
• Main Authors: Plaza, Cristine, Xu, Qiyong, Townsend, Timothy, Bitton, Gabriel, Booth, Matthew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: air pollution; anaerobic conditions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; clay soils; concrete; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; construction and demolition debris; Construction and demolition debris landfills; construction industry; Cover soil emission rate; Environmental impact; Environmental Pollutants - chemistry; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas; General aspects; gypsum; Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen Sulfide - chemistry; Industrial Waste; Landfill; Landfill gas; landfills; liming; odor emissions; particle size; pollution control; public health; Refuse Disposal - methods; sandy soils; Soil; Soil contamination; Soils; Toxicity; Waste management; Waste materials; wastes
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.06.001

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) generated from C&D debris landfills has emerged as a major environmental concern due to odor problems and possible health impacts to landfill employees and surrounding residents. Research was performed to evaluate the performance of various cover materials as control measures for H 2S emissions from C&D debris landfills. Twelve laboratory-scale simulated landfill columns containing gypsum drywall were operated under anaerobic conditions to promote H 2S production. Five different cover materials were placed on top of the waste inside duplicate columns: (1) sandy soil, (2) sandy soil amended with lime, (3) clayey soil, (4) fine concrete (particle size less than 2.5 cm), and (5) coarse concrete (particle size greater than 2.5 cm). No cover was placed on two of the columns, which were used as controls. H 2S concentrations measured from the middle of the waste layer ranged from 50,000 to 150,000 ppm. The different cover materials demonstrated varying H 2S removal efficiencies. The sandy soil amended with lime and the fine concrete were the most effective for the control of H 2S emissions. Both materials exhibited reduction efficiencies greater than 99%. The clayey and sandy soils exhibited lower reduction efficiencies, with average removal efficiencies of 65% and 30%, respectively. The coarse concrete was found to be the least efficient material as a result of its large particle size.