Edokpayi, JoshuaMakungo, RachelNjoku, Prince Obinna2024-10-012024-10-012024-09-06Njoku, P.O. 2024. Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2688Ph.D. (Environmental Sciences)Department of Geography and Environmental SciencesA landfill is a piece of land where waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) is taken to and buried under the ground; this is oldest and cheapest form of waste management technique. In South Africa, approximately 90% of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated is deposited in a landfill, once it is deposited in the landfill, it undergoes decomposition which generates harmful gases like - methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) - and trace gases like - hydrogen sulphide (H2S), benzene (C6H6), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), ammonia (NH4) and toluene (C₆H₅CH₃). These landfill gases (LFG) generated can migrate beneath the sub-surface of the waste into the surrounding landfill area and further extend outside of the boundaries of the landfill. Furthermore, LFG generated can be emitted into the surrounding atmosphere, thereby, contributing to an increase in air pollutants, in the environment. As a result, in South Africa, monitoring the subsurface flow of gases is a mandatory requirement for landfill operators. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of LFGs from a selected Thohoyandou landfill and develop a zero-waste conceptual framework, based on the Swedish Boras model. To monitor the sub-surface flow of the LFGs, eighteen gas sample probes were constructed with PVC pipes and placed approximately 3 meters below the landfill; these were placed approximately 100 meters apart on the boundaries of the site. A GA 2000 landfill gas analyser was used to monitor the CH4 and CO2 generated from the sub-surface of the landfill. The monitoring of the LFGs was conducted over a period of two years, taking into consideration the wet and dry seasons of the year. Furthermore, to measure the surface emission (near-ground emissions) of the LFG, a flux chamber was constructed from a strong ceramic PVC material with a sharpen based to conceal the flow of LFGs. The LFG samples were collected from the flux chamber using a tedler bag, in the early hours of the day and late hours in the evenings. These LFG samples were immediately taken to the laboratory and a gas chromatography (GC) was used to analyse them. The results from the GC were compared to results generated from the LandGEM model. To monitor the ambient air quality of the surrounding landfill, American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) was used to simulate the LFG emissions in the ambient air. From this process, it was possible to compare these results with real time measurements from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite imagery. In addition, the cancer risk of the residents living close to the landfill was assessed. The results of the study revealed that CO2 concentrations were most abundant and surpassed the CH4 concentrations; this is a result of the oxidation process in the landfill. The results indicate that in 2020, CH4 emissions ranged from 0.54 % vol/vol to 2.22 % vol/vol and for the year 2021, the CH4 concentration ranged from 0.24% vol/vol to 2.33% vol/vol, which were found in the months of March and November, respectively. Similarly, the CO2 concentrations for the year 2020 ranged from 4.66% vol/vol to 6.37% vol/vol and in 2021, the CO2 concentration ranged from 3.55% vol/vol to 6.56% vol/vol, which were found in the months of June and September, respectively. The results from the flux chamber show that most of the LFG (near ground) fluxes were from areas close to where there were landfill activities. The study showed that during the wet seasons, CH4 emission in the capped area, had a high concentration of 360819.80 mg/m3, with an average emission rate of 433.00 g/m2/day, resulting in 6363.43 Mg/year. The active sample areas had the highest values, with a concentration of 419863 mg/m3, an average emission rate of 503.86 g/m2/day, and annual emissions of 7031.57 Mg/year. The virgin areas had the lowest values, with a concentration of 45922.52 mg/m3, an average emission rate of 55.11 g/m2/day, resulting in 605.72 Mg/year. Similar results were obtained during the dry season, as the concentrations and emission rates in all areas of the landfill were lower, compared to the wet season. The active and capped sample area had the highest values in comparison to the leachate and virgin sample areas, as experienced during the dry season. The study concluded with the development of a strategic framework for an appropriate MSW management technique, especially, for rural landfills. The designed framework incorporated strategies to - reduce waste, promote recycling, and maximise resource recovery. Thulamela Municipality can encourage waste sorting, recycling infrastructure, and explore innovative technologies in landfill operations, so as to reduce the generation of harmful gases. This study should enhance the understanding of stakeholders in Thohoyandou, around LFG emissions in by providing actionable measures for improving waste management practices, safeguarding community health, and advancing sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.1 online resource (xxii, 225 leaves) : color illustrations, color mapsenUniversity of VendaAmbient air qualityUCTDHealth risksLandfill gasesRural landfillsZero-waste conceptual framework363.7280968257Gases -- South Africa -- LimpopoFills (Earthwork) -- South Africa -- LimpopoEarthwork -- South Africa -- LimpopoSoil mechanics -- South Africa -- LimpopoLandfill gases -- South Africa -- LimpopoWaste gases -- South Africa -- LimpopoThesisNjoku PO. Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa. []. , 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Njoku, P. O. (2024). <i>Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved fromNjoku, Prince Obinna. <i>"Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa."</i> ., , 2024.TY - Thesis AU - Njoku, Prince Obinna AB - A landfill is a piece of land where waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) is taken to and buried under the ground; this is oldest and cheapest form of waste management technique. In South Africa, approximately 90% of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated is deposited in a landfill, once it is deposited in the landfill, it undergoes decomposition which generates harmful gases like - methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) - and trace gases like - hydrogen sulphide (H2S), benzene (C6H6), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), ammonia (NH4) and toluene (C₆H₅CH₃). These landfill gases (LFG) generated can migrate beneath the sub-surface of the waste into the surrounding landfill area and further extend outside of the boundaries of the landfill. Furthermore, LFG generated can be emitted into the surrounding atmosphere, thereby, contributing to an increase in air pollutants, in the environment. As a result, in South Africa, monitoring the subsurface flow of gases is a mandatory requirement for landfill operators. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of LFGs from a selected Thohoyandou landfill and develop a zero-waste conceptual framework, based on the Swedish Boras model. To monitor the sub-surface flow of the LFGs, eighteen gas sample probes were constructed with PVC pipes and placed approximately 3 meters below the landfill; these were placed approximately 100 meters apart on the boundaries of the site. A GA 2000 landfill gas analyser was used to monitor the CH4 and CO2 generated from the sub-surface of the landfill. The monitoring of the LFGs was conducted over a period of two years, taking into consideration the wet and dry seasons of the year. Furthermore, to measure the surface emission (near-ground emissions) of the LFG, a flux chamber was constructed from a strong ceramic PVC material with a sharpen based to conceal the flow of LFGs. The LFG samples were collected from the flux chamber using a tedler bag, in the early hours of the day and late hours in the evenings. These LFG samples were immediately taken to the laboratory and a gas chromatography (GC) was used to analyse them. The results from the GC were compared to results generated from the LandGEM model. To monitor the ambient air quality of the surrounding landfill, American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) was used to simulate the LFG emissions in the ambient air. From this process, it was possible to compare these results with real time measurements from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite imagery. In addition, the cancer risk of the residents living close to the landfill was assessed. The results of the study revealed that CO2 concentrations were most abundant and surpassed the CH4 concentrations; this is a result of the oxidation process in the landfill. The results indicate that in 2020, CH4 emissions ranged from 0.54 % vol/vol to 2.22 % vol/vol and for the year 2021, the CH4 concentration ranged from 0.24% vol/vol to 2.33% vol/vol, which were found in the months of March and November, respectively. Similarly, the CO2 concentrations for the year 2020 ranged from 4.66% vol/vol to 6.37% vol/vol and in 2021, the CO2 concentration ranged from 3.55% vol/vol to 6.56% vol/vol, which were found in the months of June and September, respectively. The results from the flux chamber show that most of the LFG (near ground) fluxes were from areas close to where there were landfill activities. The study showed that during the wet seasons, CH4 emission in the capped area, had a high concentration of 360819.80 mg/m3, with an average emission rate of 433.00 g/m2/day, resulting in 6363.43 Mg/year. The active sample areas had the highest values, with a concentration of 419863 mg/m3, an average emission rate of 503.86 g/m2/day, and annual emissions of 7031.57 Mg/year. The virgin areas had the lowest values, with a concentration of 45922.52 mg/m3, an average emission rate of 55.11 g/m2/day, resulting in 605.72 Mg/year. Similar results were obtained during the dry season, as the concentrations and emission rates in all areas of the landfill were lower, compared to the wet season. The active and capped sample area had the highest values in comparison to the leachate and virgin sample areas, as experienced during the dry season. The study concluded with the development of a strategic framework for an appropriate MSW management technique, especially, for rural landfills. The designed framework incorporated strategies to - reduce waste, promote recycling, and maximise resource recovery. Thulamela Municipality can encourage waste sorting, recycling infrastructure, and explore innovative technologies in landfill operations, so as to reduce the generation of harmful gases. This study should enhance the understanding of stakeholders in Thohoyandou, around LFG emissions in by providing actionable measures for improving waste management practices, safeguarding community health, and advancing sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. DA - 2024-09-06 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Ambient air quality KW - Health risks KW - Landfill gases KW - Rural landfills KW - Zero-waste conceptual framework LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2024 T1 - Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa TI - Landfill gas monitoring, assessment of potential health risks and the development of a zero-waste conceptual framework for rural landfills in South Africa UR - ER -