GIS-Based Analysis and Delineation of Odor Impact Zones around Landfills: Effect of Atmospheric Stability and Meteorological Conditions

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1 GIS-Based Analysis and Delineation of Odor Impact Zones around Landfills: Effect of Atmospheric Stability and Meteorological Conditions Bahareh Inanloo, Berrin Tansel Florida International University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2 Outline Introduction Objectives Assumptions Methodology Results Conclusions Slide 2 of 24

3 Landfills In the 1930s, new York city and Fresno, California, started compacting refuse with heavy equipment and covering it up. Landfill typically is the most economically viable disposal option in the majority of the us. A sanitary Landfill is traditionally defined as an engineered method of disposing of solid wastes on land in a manner that protect environment, by spreading the waste in thin layers, compacting it to the smallest particle volume, and covering it with soil by the end of each working day. Slide 3 of 18

4 Landfill Gas Factors that influence the quantity of gas: Types and age of the waste buried in the landfill. Quantity and types of organic compounds in the waste. Moisture content. Temperature of the waste. Slide 4 of 18

5 Landfill Gas Compounds Landfill gas compounds: Methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor. Also contains: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Sulfides NMOCs. Slide 5 of 18

6 Public health, safety, and environmental concerns Subsurface migration, Surface emissions/air pollution, Odor nuisance. Odors Compounds found in landfill gas are associated with strong, pungent odors. These smells can be transmitted off site to nearby homes and business. Unpleasant odors can lower the quality of life for people who live near landfills and reduce local property values. Slide 6 of 18

7 Landfill Odor Landfill gas odors are produced by bacterial or chemical processes and can emanate from both active or closed landfills. Potential sources of landfill odors include sulfides, ammonia, and NMOCs Sulfides: Hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and mercaptans are the three most common sulfides responsible for landfill odors. Of these three sulfides, hydrogen sulfide is emitted from landfills at the highest rates and concentrations. Ammonia is another odorous landfill gas that is produced by the decomposition of organic matter in the landfill. Some NMOCs, such as vinyl chloride and hydrocarbons, may also cause odors. Slide 7 of 18

8 Health Issues Associated with Landfill Gas Emissions Roxbury, NJ residents began complaining of rotten egg-like odors in late 2012, The odor made them or their children sick, citing headaches, respiratory problems and even nosebleeds. On the worst days, the odors would spread for several miles, and have at times disrupted outdoor school activities. Slide 8 of 18

9 Objectives Investigate the emission of odorous gases from landfill areas and predict their odor impact zones. Analyses the impact zones considering different atmospheric conditions, from unstable to stable classes of atmosphere. Slide 9 of 24

10 Case Study Landfills Three landfills were selected for evaluation: Okeechobee landfill, FL, USA South Dade landfill, FL, USA Fenimore landfill, NJ, USA Slide 10 of 18 24

11 Okeechobee Landfill Okeechobee landfill properties: Year Opened: 1992 Size: 833 Acres Total Life Expectancy: 60 years Disposed Annually: 1.6 million Tons Slide 11 of 18 24

12 South Dade Landfill South Dade landfill properties: Year Opened: 1979 Size: 300 Acres Total Life Expectancy: 50 years Disposed Annually: 600,000 Tons Slide 12 of 18 24

13 Fenimore Landfill Fenimore landfill properties Year Opened: Size: 103 Acres Total Life Expectancy: 30 years Disposed Annually: 400,000 Tons Slide 13 of 18 24

14 Atmospheric Stability Classes The calculations were done under different atmospheric conditions During day A, B and C classes (day) During night E and F classes (night) Stability class A B C D E F Settings Highly unstable Moderately Unstable Slightly unstable Neutral Slightly stable Moderately Stable Slide 14 of 24

15 Methodology Slide 15 of 24

16 Landfill Gas Calculation Slide 16 of 24

17 Odor Impact Zones Calculation ALOHA (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) An air dispersion model able to predict airborne chemical concentrations. Inputs: Wind direction Wind speed Humidity Date and time Temperature Location Chemical characteristics Slide 17 of 24

18 ALOHA Abilities: Sketches the impact radius. Has the ability to export the impact area to ArcMap and MARPLOT. Considers urbanization of surrounding area by assigning roughness. Outputs: Visual expression of impacted zone. Slide 18 of 24

19 Okeechobee Landfill Odor Zones Introduction Objectives Assumptions Methodology Results Conclusions Maps Landfill site Stability B Stability C Stability F Stability comparison Slide 19 of 24

20 South Dade Landfill Odor Zones Introduction Objectives Assumptions Methodology Results Conclusions Maps Landfill site Stability B Stability C Stability F Stability comparison Slide 20 of 24

21 Fenimore Landfill Odor Zones Introduction Objectives Assumptions Methodology Results Conclusions Maps Landfill site Stability B Stability C Stability F Stability comparison Slide 21 of 24

22 Impacted Area and Population Landfills Impact Areas (Square miles) Impacted Population B C F B C F Okeechobee South Dade Fenimore Slide 22 of 18

23 Conclusions The result of this study can be employed for decision making process in landfill site selection. Based on the results atmospheric condition play an important role in odor emissions during periods of time in which the atmosphere is more unstable like during day under strong solar radiation odor is less than during night with clear sky. Odor Impact Zone The results can be used in order to avoid: drop in property value, medical expenses, possible closure of an active landfill. Slide 23 of 18

24 Thank you! Questions? Slide 24 of 24