Landfills, complexity and biogas risk assessment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Risk Management
• Geotechnical Engineering

Background:

• Landfills present complex systems with emergent properties.
• Traditional risk assessment models may not fully capture landfill dynamics.
• Biogas-related accidents and events pose significant risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce complexity theory as a framework for understanding landfill behavior.
• To propose a novel conceptual framework for biogas risk assessment in landfills.
• To address the endogenous non-predictability of landfill accidents and events.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis applying complexity theory to landfill systems.
• Literature review on landfill development, complexity, and risk assessment.
• Development of a new risk assessment framework based on emergent properties.

Main Results:

• Landfill development creates an iterative process leading to emergent complexity.
• This complexity results in an endogenous non-predictability of accidents and sudden events.
• A conceptual framework for biogas risk assessment is proposed, integrating complexity.

Conclusions:

• Complexity theory provides a valuable lens for landfill risk assessment.
• The proposed framework offers a more nuanced approach to managing biogas risks.
• Understanding emergent properties is crucial for enhancing landfill safety and operational procedures.