Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste dumpsites in Cameroon. 2019

N Martin Ngwabie, and Yvette L Wirlen, and Godwin S Yinda, and Andrew C VanderZaag
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda, Box 39, Bambili, N.W. Region, Cameroon. Electronic address: ngwabie@yahoo.co.uk.

Open dumpsites that receive municipal solid waste are potentially significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere. There is little data available on emissions from these sources, especially in the unique climate and management of central Africa. This research aimed at quantifying CH4, N2O and CO2 emissions from two open dumpsites in Cameroon, located in Mussaka-Buea, regional headquarters of the South West Region and in Mbellewa-Bamenda, regional headquarters of the North West Region. Emissions were measured during the wet season (May 2015 and August 2016) at the Mussaka and Mbellewa dumpsites respectively. Dumpsite surfaces were partitioned into several zones for emission measurements, based on the current activity and the age of the waste. Static flux chambers were used to quantify gas emission rates thrice a day (mornings, afternoons and evenings). Average emissions were 96.80 ± 144 mg CH4 m-2 min-1, 0.20 ± 0.43 mg N2O m-2 min-1 and 224.78 ± 312 mg CO2 m-2 min-1 in the Mussaka dumpsite, and 213.44 ± 419 mg CH4 m-2 min-1, 0.15 ± 0.15 mg N2O m-2 min-1 and 1103.82 ± 1194 mg CO2 m-2 min-1 at the Mbellewa dumpsite. Emissions as high as 1784 mg CH4 m-2 min-1, 2.3 mg N2O m-2 min-1 and 5448 mg CO2 m-2 min-1 were measured from both dumpsites. Huge variations observed in emissions between the different zones on the waste surface were likely a result of the heterogeneous nature of the waste, different stages in waste decomposition and different environmental conditions within the waste. Management activities that disturb waste, such as spreading and compressing potentially increase gas emissions, while covering waste with a layer of soil potentially mitigate gas emissions. Recommendations were for dumpsites to be upgraded to sanitary landfills, and biogas production from such landfills should be exploited to reduce CH4 emissions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008697 Methane The simplest saturated hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, flammable gas, slightly soluble in water. It is one of the chief constituents of natural gas and is formed in the decomposition of organic matter. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
D002163 Cameroon A republic in central Africa lying east of CHAD and the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC and west of NIGERIA. The capital is Yaounde. Republic of Cameron,Cameroons,United Republic of Cameroon
D002245 Carbon Dioxide A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D000074382 Greenhouse Gases Gaseous elements, chemicals that are in the atmosphere that may contribute to GREENHOUSE EFFECT. Greenhouse Gas,Gas, Greenhouse
D017752 Greenhouse Effect The effect of GREENHOUSE GASES and the resulting increase in world temperatures. The predicted health effects of such long-term climatic change include increased incidence of respiratory, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases. Effect, Greenhouse
D062611 Solid Waste Garbage, refuse, or sludge, or other discarded materials from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, and air pollution control facility that include solid, semi-solid, or contained material. It does not include materials dissolved in domestic sewage, irrigation return flows, or industrial discharges. Solid Wastes,Waste, Solid,Wastes, Solid
D064091 Waste Disposal Facilities Sites that receive and store WASTE PRODUCTS. Some facilities also sort, process, and recycle specific waste products. Landfills,Waste Disposal Sites,Waste Dump Sites,Waste Dumping Grounds,Waste Dumping Sites,Waste Dumps,Disposal Facilities, Waste,Disposal Facility, Waste,Disposal Site, Waste,Disposal Sites, Waste,Dump Site, Waste,Dump Sites, Waste,Dump, Waste,Dumping Ground, Waste,Dumping Grounds, Waste,Dumping Site, Waste,Dumping Sites, Waste,Dumps, Waste,Facilities, Waste Disposal,Facility, Waste Disposal,Ground, Waste Dumping,Grounds, Waste Dumping,Landfill,Site, Waste Disposal,Site, Waste Dump,Site, Waste Dumping,Sites, Waste Disposal,Sites, Waste Dump,Sites, Waste Dumping,Waste Disposal Facility,Waste Disposal Site,Waste Dump,Waste Dump Site,Waste Dumping Ground,Waste Dumping Site

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