Grantee Research Project Results

Analysis of Continuous Monitoring Data with Inverse Atmospheric Models to Improve Landfill Gas Emissions Data and Elucidate Drivers of Emissions

EPA Grant Number: R840624
Title: Analysis of Continuous Monitoring Data with Inverse Atmospheric Models to Improve Landfill Gas Emissions Data and Elucidate Drivers of Emissions
Investigators: Schauer, James J. , Tinjum, James M , deFoy, Benjamin , Aydin, Orhun , Edwards, Ross
Current Investigators: Schauer, James J. , deFoy, Benjamin , Tinjum, James M , Aydin, Orhun , Edwards, Ross
Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison , Saint Louis University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Davey, Elisa
Project Period: September 1, 2023 through May 8, 2025
Project Amount: $998,049
RFA: Understanding and Control of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Air Emissions Request for Applications (RFA) (2023) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Toxics , Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Engineering , Land and Waste Management , Landfill Emissions , Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention , Watersheds , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air

Objective:

The overall goal of the project is to demonstrate and standardize existing inverse modeling and spatial mapping methods for quantifying emissions of methane and other health impacting gases released from landfills.  The project will demonstrate these methods at four landfills in the USA by quantifying the impact landfill design and operation have on gaseous emissions.  The project will demonstrate the practicality of routinely using these low-cost methods to provide continuous emissions measurements from landfills.

Approach:

The overall project goals will be achieved through the implementation of the following project components: 

1. Deploy high-sensitivity laser-based sensors to measure methane at strategic locations for two full years at downwind locations of four collaborating landfills in the USA. 
2. Deploy sensors to measure landfill gas releases that impact local air quality including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and odors for two full years at the four landfills.    
3. Collect select complementary data on carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide with the laser-based methane sensor to fully utilize the laser-based methane sensors. 
4. Use parallel drone-based mapping methods to map methane concentrations above and around landfills to identify hot spots and identify the location of fugitive emissions
5. Apply the monitoring data in an inverse atmospheric transport model to quantify landfill emissions and for calculating the impact from environmental variables and landfill operations on methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and odor emissions.  These inverse models have been developed and demonstrated by the project team in other studies. 
6. Make the methods, data collection and data analysis available to the landfill design, construction and operation communities, the scientific community, and the public. 

Expected Results:

The project combines expertise by the project team in landfill operation and design, long-term monitoring of gaseous pollutants, drone concentration mapping, and inverse modeling to quantify landfill emissions sources over both time and space. By linking long-term measurements and drone mapping with detailed knowledge of landfill operations, the project will provide unprecedented detail on the factors influencing real-world emissions.  The project will directly lead to better design, management, and operation of landfills.  The project team is uniquely qualified to demonstrate and disseminate the proposed tools for transforming how we measure and manage emissions from landfills.

Supplemental Keywords:

 HAPS, Greenhouse Gases, Waste, Fugitive Emissions

Progress and Final Reports:

2024 Progress Report