Biofilters for mitigation of landfill methane emissions
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| John Murrell (Primary Supervisor) | |
| David Pearce (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/R00742X/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2022 | |||
| 1941737 | Studentship | NE/R00742X/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | David Pearce |
| Description | There have been many discoveries made through this NERC funded research. The region and temperature within the landfill methane biofilter where most methane removal occurs has been determined. The total bacterial community present in the biofilter soil has been characterised and the particular bacteria (methanotroph) responsible for the majority of methane removal in the biofilter identified. A representative of this type of bacteria has been isolated for genome sequencing to discover genetic and metabolic inventory (what is the organism capable of doing/tolerating) and for further study of growth characteristics as well as temperature and pH tolerance. Environmental factors affecting efficiency of methane removal in the biofilter during operation have been identified, as have those with no significant effect. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funding could be used in the future design and operation of landfill methane biofilters. Understanding where methane removal is occurring in the biofilter could be used as a guide towards making a smaller and cheaper biofilter with the same methane removal capabilities. Comparing the tolerances of the methanotroph isolate with the effects of environmental variables on biofilter methane removal could indicate whether limitations are due to the organisms or biofilter design. The knowledge gained regarding the effects of different environmental variables on biofilter methane removal efficiency will be invaluable in directing operating parameters for the biofilter. The implementation of these outcomes would likely be carried out by government bodies responsible for closed landfills such as Norfolk County Council and other landfill site operators. |
| Sectors | Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
| Title | Biofilter soil metagenomes |
| Description | Biofilter matrix metagenomes assembled after high-throughput sequencing of DNA extracted from the biofilter. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Partial genome reconstruction of several biofilter methanotrophs - giving information on genetic/metabolic capabilities of these species without requiring their isolation. |
| Description | Industrial CASE Partnership with Norfolk County Council closed landfill team |
| Organisation | Norfolk County Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Research into bacterial methanotrophs responsible for methane oxidation in the Strumpshaw landfill methane biofilter (County Council operated). Identificatuion of key players in methane turnover and isolation of a representative methanotroph. Further study into the effects of changing physico-chemical parameters on biofilter methane oxidation efficiency. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CASE partner provides access to their site as well as appropriate PPE and health and safety training, additionally have provided required pieces of equipment such as a gas and temperature probe and gas/temperature analysers as well as transport to and from site. CASE partner also sponsored my attendance at industry conference "Landfill aftercare (LANDSS) forum". CASE partner will also provide £2,500 in direct funding (awaiting confirmation of receipt) |
| Impact | All outcomes have been supported by this partnership - as they are built from studying material/biological samples taken from the Norfolk County Council's landfill methane biofilter. |
| Start Year | 2017 |