FIELD STUDY ON CARBON DIOXIDE UPTAKE OF WASTE LEACHATE AT COASTAL LANDFILL SITES

Abstract

 At coastal landfill sites, the pH of seawater becomes highly alkaline due to waste landfilling. Since highly alkaline seawater captures much atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), the CO₂ uptake of the alkaline seawater of landfills (waste leachate) is superior to seawater. This study investigated the seasonal CO₂ fluxes of seawater and on-site waste leachate using the chamber method of acrylic-sealed containers. The annual CO₂ uptake of the coastal landfill sites was estimated. The CO₂ fluxes varied seasonally depending on pH, water temperature, and phytoplankton. Also, the amount of CO₂ uptake in landfills was evaluated by the seasonal CO₂ uptake. As a result, the waste leachate had the potential to capture 10.6 t-CO₂/ha/year, suggesting that it could be a CO₂ sink facility.