Landfills can be a major source of air pollution as anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills releases gaseous pollutants like methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) in the atmosphere. However, the emission rates of these gases from Dhaka's two biggest landfills, namely Matuail and Aminbazar Landfills, have not yet been calculated, nor has their atmospheric dispersion been evaluated. This study therefore aimed to investigate the emission rates of different gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills located in Dhaka utilizing four simulations (CAAC, IC, IW, SP-1) of LandGEM V-3.02 model. The study also determined the distribution pattern of the emitted gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills in the atmosphere of Dhaka using AERMOD View software model. Finally, the study carried out field measurements surrounding Matuail and Aminbazar landfills using Haz-Scanner-TM model HIM-600. Results indicated that the emission rates of different gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills followed the order of CO2 > CH4 > NMOCs. Results of dispersion modeling showed that maximum concentrations of all the gases were found near the landfills sites. However, the maximum concentrations of CH4 and CO2 near the landfill sites were within the allowable permissible limits established by United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). According to the field measurements conducted surrounding both Matuail and Aminbazar landfills, average concentrations of CH4 and CO2 near Matuail landfill were 167.55 ppm and 534.74 ppm respectively while average concentrations of CH4 and CO2 near Aminbazar landfill were 182.1 ppm and 593.04 ppm respectively. Dispersion modeling based on emission data from IW simulation provided concentrations (Matuail: CH4—109.29 ppm, CO2—109.39 ppm, Aminbazar: CH4—159.78 ppm, CO2—166.87 ppm) closest to the findings obtained by field measurements conducted near both Matuail and Aminbazar landfills. The results of this study should aid in the development of efficient management plans and policy interventions to reduce the risks of air pollution caused by landfill operations in rapidly urbanizing cities. Graphical Abstract

Monitoring and Assessment of Emission and Dispersion of Gaseous Pollutants from Major Landfill Sites in Dhaka, Bangladesh

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年11月6日

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Intehum Taufique Aurnab,
Shamsunnahar Khanam

摘要

Landfills can be a major source of air pollution as anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills releases gaseous pollutants like methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and other non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) in the atmosphere. However, the emission rates of these gases from Dhaka's two biggest landfills, namely Matuail and Aminbazar Landfills, have not yet been calculated, nor has their atmospheric dispersion been evaluated. This study therefore aimed to investigate the emission rates of different gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills located in Dhaka utilizing four simulations (CAAC, IC, IW, SP-1) of LandGEM V-3.02 model. The study also determined the distribution pattern of the emitted gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills in the atmosphere of Dhaka using AERMOD View software model. Finally, the study carried out field measurements surrounding Matuail and Aminbazar landfills using Haz-Scanner-TM model HIM-600. Results indicated that the emission rates of different gases from Matuail and Aminbazar landfills followed the order of CO₂ > CH₄ > NMOCs. Results of dispersion modeling showed that maximum concentrations of all the gases were found near the landfills sites. However, the maximum concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ near the landfill sites were within the allowable permissible limits established by United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). According to the field measurements conducted surrounding both Matuail and Aminbazar landfills, average concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ near Matuail landfill were 167.55 ppm and 534.74 ppm respectively while average concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ near Aminbazar landfill were 182.1 ppm and 593.04 ppm respectively. Dispersion modeling based on emission data from IW simulation provided concentrations (Matuail: CH₄—109.29 ppm, CO₂—109.39 ppm, Aminbazar: CH₄—159.78 ppm, CO₂—166.87 ppm) closest to the findings obtained by field measurements conducted near both Matuail and Aminbazar landfills. The results of this study should aid in the development of efficient management plans and policy interventions to reduce the risks of air pollution caused by landfill operations in rapidly urbanizing cities.

Graphical Abstract