EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE COVER MATERIALS FOR REDUCING HYDROGEN SULFIDE EMISSION FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW) LANDFILLS

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emitted from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills has emerged as a major environmental concern due to potential odor problems and possible health hazards to landfill employees and surrounding residents. Landfill cover can be used for H2S control, which is a cost-effective and sustainable technique by recycling certain suitable waste as alternative landfill cover material. The attenuation of H2S emissions by four landfill cover materials, including charcoal sludge compost (CSC), final cover soil (FCS), aged refuse (AR), and clay soil (CS), was evaluated using both laboratory and field experiments. In addition, the mechanisms of H2S removal by the four cover materials were investigated. Results showed that CSC was the most effective alternative cover material for H2S control, reducing H2S by approximately 88% (in laboratory) and 82% (in field). The H2S removal capacities of the four cover materials in both the laboratory and field were in the order of CSC > FCS > AR > CS. CSC could be an effective alternative cover material for H2S removal. Results from this research provide economical and effective alternatives for H2S control at MSW landfill sites.