Composition and Distribution of Non-Methane Organic Compounds at Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Surfaces

The non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) released from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills impose significant impact on the environment and human health. It is necessary to investigate the fugitive emission of NMOCs from MSW landfills for helping control NMOC emissions and reduce the environmental impacts. This study was focused on the concentration distribution of NMOCs on the operating and soil covered landfill areas. The NMOCs at the surfaces were measured with the static chamber method at two typical landfill sites located in northern China. Organosulfur compounds, oxygenated compounds, halogenated hydrocarbons, aromatics, aliphatic hydrocarbons and terpene compounds were all detected at both landfills. Aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds were predominant substances in the NMOCs. Ethanthiol, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl sulfide were the main odorous pollutants on the operating area. Higher concentrations of odorous pollutants were found on the operating area than on the covered one.