Impact of leachate and landfill gas on the ecosystem and health: Research trends and the forward towards

Globally, a whopping increase in solid waste (SW) generation and the risks posed by climate change are major concerns. A wide spread practice for disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) is landfill, which swells with population and urbanization. Waste, if treated properly, can be used to produce renewable energy. The recent global event COP 27 mainly stressed on production of renewable energy to achieve the Net Zero target. The MSW landfill is the most significant anthropogenic source of methane (CH4) emission. On one side, CH4 is a greenhouse gas (GHG), and on the other it is a main component of biogas. Wastewater that collects due to rainwater percolation in landfills creates landfill leachate. There is a need to understand global landfill management practices thoroughly for implementation of better practices and policies related to this threat. This study criti-cally reviews recent publications on leachate and landfill gas. The review discusses leachate treatment and landfill gas emissions, focusing on the possible reduction technology of CH4 emission and its impact on the environment. Mixed leachate will benefit from the combinational therapy method because of its intricate combination. Implementation of circular material management, entrepreneurship ideas, blockchain, machine learning, LCA usage in waste management, and economic benefits from CH4 production have been emphasized. Bibliometric analysis of 908 articles from the last 37 years revealed that industrialized nations dominate this research domain, with the United States having the highest number of citations.

Automated summary

Globally, the increase in solid waste generation and the risks posed by climate change are major concerns. The widespread practice of landfill disposal of municipal solid waste is expanding with population growth and urbanization. Properly treated waste can be used to produce renewable energy. The recent COP 27 event emphasized the production of renewable energy to achieve the Net Zero target. Landfills are the most significant anthropogenic source of methane emission, which is both a greenhouse gas and a main component of biogas. Landfill leachate and methane emissions are discussed in this study, with a focus on reducing methane emission technology and its environmental impact. The combined therapy method is suggested for treating mixed leachate. Circular material management, entrepreneurship ideas, blockchain, machine learning, life cycle assessment (LCA) in waste management, and economic benefits from methane production are emphasized. Bibliometric analysis of 908 articles from the past 37 years shows that industrialized nations, particularly the United States, dominate research in this field.