Air quality assessment in the context of landfill mining activities

Abstract

Landfill mining (LFM) is a strategy aimed at mitigating any remaining potential adverse environmental impact of landfill sites whilst also recovering untapped commodities and energy for utilisation, as well as freeing up land resources for beneficial use. Many studies have highlighted the hazardous potential of waste compounds found in several landfill sites. During LFM activities, such materials may be emitted into the surrounding environment predominantly through airborne dispersion if appropriate control measures are not implemented. Using an Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System (ADMS) specific for dust emission input parameter ranges, this study assessed the potential impact of LFM practices on air quality in relation to environmental and human health. The emission inventory included nine distinct LFM-related activities, comprising point, line, and area sources. A comprehensive statistical analysis of meteorological data collected at the study site between 2016 and 2019 was conducted to develop a set of representative meteorological scenarios. The research provided a novel approach to simulate airborne dust dispersion from LFM activities. Modelling results indicate that dust concentrations remained confined within the landfill boundary when considering a single phase of the working-face operation (approximately 3,000 m²). The findings also indicate that certain dust concentration levels exceeded the UK and EU PM10 Air Quality Strategy limit, particularly when accounting for background concentrations, hence posing a potential risk to human health and the environment.