Quantitative Analysis of Generation Processes of Greenhouse Gases Emitted from Landfill Sites Using Remote Sensing Technology

The generated gas that is emitted from solid waste at landfill sites can increase the greenhouse gas loading of the atmosphere and thereby exacerbate the greenhouse effect. Some landfills are engineered to control the volume of the generated gas that is emitted; however, many obsolete landfills do not have a collection system for the landfill gas. Therefore, the volume of generated and emitted gas is not known. In order to estimate and quantify this volume of landfill gases that may contribute to the greenhouse effect (mainly methane and water vapor) a mathematical model for gas generation processes is developed. Simulation model variables derived from satellite remotely sensed data will be used to drive, calibrate and validate (cal/val) the simulation model at landfills with a collection system. Simulated estimates of the generated gases will compared with the measured values. The technique will then be used to estimate generated gas emissions from landfills that do not have a collection system.