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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Landfill gas collection and groundwater protection

Conference ·
OSTI ID:161794
;  [1]
  1. Gas Control Engineering, Anaheim, CA (United States)
Landfill Gas (LFG) has been identified as a major source of contamination of groundwater underlying landfills. Contaminants consist primarily of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methylene chloride, trichloroethene, and tetrachloroethene. Three mechanisms for vapor phase VOC migration from a landfill to groundwater are predominant. These are: (1) Direct contact of landfill gas containing VOCs with groundwater, (2) Vapor phase VOC migration through the unsaturated zone surrounding a landfill, and (3) LFG Condensate water formation in the unsaturated zone and subsequent migration to groundwater. Current LFG collection practices are not geared towards controlling the potential for groundwater contamination caused by LFG. By not recognizing this major source of contamination, landfill operators are missing a major opportunity to reduce costs and minimize future liability of future groundwater impacts. Existing or future LFG collection systems can be upgraded, augmented with unsaturated zone remediation, or collection system operations modified to significantly reduce the potential for VOC contamination of groundwater.
OSTI ID:
161794
Report Number(s):
CONF-950978--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English