Methane oxidation in a neutral landfill cover soil: Influence of moisture content, temperature, and nitrogen-turnover

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1996.00472425002500010023x· OSTI ID:245361

Boeckx, P; Van Cleemput, O ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Ghent (Belgium)

Well-managed, aerated cover soils can have a mitigating effect on methane emission from landfills. The influence of moisture content, soil temperature, and N on the methane uptake capacity of a neutral landfill cover soil was examined. A soil moisture content of 15% w/w gave the maximum CH{sub 4} oxidation rate (2.36 ng CH{sub 4}{sup -1}g{sup -1} soil). When wetter, CH{sub 4} consumption was slower (e.g., 1.6 ng CH{sub 4} h{sup -1} g {sup -1} at 30% w/w) because of a limited gas diffusion. At lower soil moisture, microbial activity was reduced and consequently the oxidation capacity decreased (e.g., 0.84 ng CH{sub 4} {sup -1} g{sup -1} at 5% w/w). Optimum temperature was between 25 and 30{degrees}C. The calculated activation energy of the CH{sub 4} oxidation was 56.5 kj K{sup -1} mol{sup -1}. After NH4{sub 4}{sup +} addition, a negative linear correlation was found between the methane oxidation rate and the nitrous oxide flux (R{sup 2} = 0.96 Y1 = 2.7 - 0.44 x Y2). Addition of NO{sub 3}{sup -} had no significant effect on CH{sub 4} oxidation. The effect of organic residue amendments depended on their C/N ratios. Crop residues with a high C/N ratio (wheat [Triticum sativum L.] and maize [Zea mays L.] straw) stimulated N-immobilization and did not affect the methane-oxidizing capacity. On the other hand, addition of crop residues with low C/N ratios (potato [Solanum tuberosum L.] and sugar beet [Beta vulgaris cv. Altissima] leaves) stimulated N-mineralization, resulting in a strong inhibition of the methane oxidation. 38 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 245361
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol. 25, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
METHANE
OXIDATION
SANITARY LANDFILLS
COVERINGS
ACTIVATION ENERGY
CAPACITY
DIFFUSION
MAIZE
LEAVES
NITROUS OXIDE
MOISTURE
RESIDUES
SOILS
SOLANUM TUBEROSUM
STRAW
WHEAT
NITRATES
BIOCONVERSION