Description
Landfill methane emissions are often measured during a relatively short window and used to represent emissions over a much longer period — but how representative is a single measurement?
This study examines how whole-site methane emissions can change over the course of a day and what those changes mean for interpreting landfill emissions data. Researchers conducted eight whole-site methane measurement surveys over approximately 30 hours at an operational landfill with active gas collection, while also tracking meteorological conditions and landfill gas recovery.
Despite relatively stable methane collection, measured emissions varied substantially, ranging from 51 to 181 kg/hour. Emissions were highest at night and lowest during the afternoon, with the research identifying a strong relationship between methane emissions and short-term changes in barometric pressure. When considered alongside previous EREF research at three U.S. landfills — where peak emissions were observed during afternoon periods — the findings suggest that there may not be a universally representative “best” time of day to measure landfill methane.
The report explores how site-specific barometric pressure patterns can influence short-duration methane measurements and why measurement timing and meteorological context should be considered when using these data to characterize landfill emissions, evaluate performance, or develop emissions inventories.
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