Study of the Methane Emissions and Methane Oxidising Bacteria in the Soil Cover of an Irish Landfill Site

摘要

The biological methane oxidising potential of the soil cover layer of a landfill was studied. The group of bacteria which possess the ability to oxidise methane are called the methanotrophs. The species diversity and activity in a soil sample taken from the soil cover layer of the landfill was examined. Soil samples were obtained from Derrinumera Landfill, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Batch tests were set up with the soil samples to show the rate at which the methanotrophs oxidised methane. The effect of pH, water concentration and storage conditions on methane oxidation was also investigated. The results presented here may have important implications for the use of methane-oxidising bacteria as biofilters to reduce landfill gas emissions of methane.