OBJECTIVES :
Many studies using various types of biocover materials to attenuate CH4 emissions have been performed both at the laboratory and field scale. The results demonstrated that CH4 emissions can be effectively reduced using compost, and amended sandy soils, and more, as cover materials using several mechanisms. One of the main issues delaying the field implementation of biocovers capable of reducing CH4 emissions from landfills, is the lack of a proper field technique to assess the level of CH4 oxidation under field conditions. Only specialized Stable Isotope (SI) based methods are capable of such a task. The costs, along with recent controversies concerning the SI based methods, necessitate the development of a new simpler test. Recently, there was also some push-back against relying on the Stable Isotope technique to quantify methane oxidation in landfill covers and in biocovers. It was argued that diffusive gas transport through soils can result in significant depletion in 13C. This is a result of the faster diffusive flux of the lighter 12CH4 as compared to 13CH4. The effect is increased with higher air-filled porosity and hence increased high diffusivity. Some even argued that these uncertainties may render the application of the stable isotope method for the quantification of the oxidation process very difficult.
One of such possible techniques, that our research team has been
developing for field measurement of hydrogen sulfide attenuation
capacity by landfill covers and biocovers is the Gas Push Pull Test
(GPPT). We have obtained funding to fully investigate the
potential use of the GPPT, construct a test pit to test the methodology
under macro-scale
conditions, and to be the only team in the USA with experience with
such a test.
The GPPT (Gas Push Pull Test) is a single well gas-tracer
test. During the test, a mixture of inert tracer and reactive
gases is injected (pushed) into the soil. The injected gases
are then pulled from the soil allowing
the estimation of the reactivity of different cover materials and
different cover designs.
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES :
We propose to build on our recent experience with the GPPT to extend and modify the GPPT to allow for an alternate measurement of methane oxidation in the field beside the Stable Isotope. We plan to reach this objective through a series of test pit trials combined with field testing at the Leon County Landfill and Spring Hill Landfill.
RATIONALE :
To date, the GPPT method has been used to determine rates of methane
oxidation above a contaminated aquifer, in a peat bog, and only TWICE
in landfill cover soils. All of the previous trials in the
past have involved the use of acetylene as a methane oxidation
inhibitor.
This practice can severely hinder methane oxidation for
months. We believe we have the capability to modify the GPPT
and adopt it to replace the Stable Isotope technique without having to
use inhibitors.