A comparison of methods for the measurement of methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills for the purpose of evaluating their contribution of the greenhouse effect

Abstract : This study was funded and co-ordinated by the French Agence de I'Environnement et de la Maitrise de 1'Energie (Ademe) in the framework of the French research programme on the evolution of the climate and the atmosphere, with the specific aim of estimating the contribution to the greenhouse effect due to methane emitted by municipal solid waste landfills. The objective of the study was to assess and compare different methods for evaluating methane flux densities, with respect to the qualification of the methods in metrological terms, as well as their potential for practical implementation at landfill sites. This preliminary step, preceding the execution of direct measurements at selected sites, will enable researchers later on to validate existing emission models and establish by extrapolation an inventory of methane emissions covering all municipal solid waste landfills in France