| Abstract: | The methane dynamics of soils covering a landfill in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, was investigated in 1996. The methane concentration was often < 20 nmol (dry g)?1 within the cover layer and up to 9950 nmol (dry g)?1 within the refuse body. The methane production rates correlated positively with the methane concentrations and were mostly < 10 nmol (dry g)?1 d?1 within the cover layer and up to 1090 nmol (dry g)_1 d_1 within the refuse body. The methane oxidation rates varied between 38.0–2310 nmol (dry g)?1 d?1. The methane emission rates showed values of up to 574 mol m?2 h?1, but in two cases no emission of methane was found. The data indicate that the methano-genesis of the deep refuse layers did not substantially affect the methane behaviour of the upper soil sections. It is likely that the emission of methane from landfills can be reduced by thick well aerated cover layers. The term “Reduktosol” for landfill soils is critically discussed. |
