Approaches to assess biocover performance on landfills

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Microbiology

Background:

• Landfill biocovers are engineered covers designed to enhance methane oxidation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
• Biocovers typically comprise a gas distribution layer and a substrate layer, requiring specific monitoring strategies due to altered properties compared to conventional covers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate existing measurement methods for landfill biocovers and propose modifications for accurate performance assessment.
• To develop and present a conceptual framework for monitoring biocover functionality and provide practical recommendations.

Main Methods:

• Review of common landfill surface emission monitoring techniques.
• Analysis of biocover properties (gas permeability, water retention, texture, methane oxidation activity).
• Field trials and investigations with compost biocovers in Austria.

Main Results:

• Standard monitoring methods may require adaptation for biocovers due to their unique characteristics.
• An assessment approach for biocover performance has been developed based on practical experiences.
• Specific recommendations for monitoring biocover functionality are provided.

Conclusions:

• Effective monitoring is crucial for demonstrating biocover efficiency in methane emission reduction.
• Adapting existing methods or developing new ones is necessary for reliable biocover performance assessment.
• The proposed approach offers practical guidance for the implementation and operation of biocovers.