THE EFFECTS OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LANDFILLS IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

A landfill site is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and the oldest form of waste treatment. Landfills are one of the major sources of methane (CH4) emissions. Prediction of CH4 emissions from landfills is important in estimating power generation potential and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from landfills. The most widely used landfill gas (LFG) models developed based on the first order decay (FOD) reaction do not take into account changing waste composition and landfill site conditions in methane estimations. The establishment of sustainable landfills is a key strategy in modern waste management concepts (Vaverkova et al., 2015) and to evaluate appropriate methane reduction strategies, LFG production rates must be accurately quantified (Thompson et al., 2009).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Historically, landfills have been the most common method of organized waste disposal and remain so in many places around the world. The increase in population as a result of industrial revolution in major towns and cities of the world have necessitated rapid growth or high rate of urbanization and development for instance; Nigeria cities in recent time have witnessed rapid population growth resulting from influx of migrants from rural area to the cities. This brings about the concentration of industrial, commercial, infrastructural, administration and government activities in urban centers. Thus, as the population of cities grows, the rate of waste generation also increases leading to increase burning of refuse and high rate of air pollution, which increased concentration of green house gases that causes global warming and eventually Climate change.

In the last decades the greenhouse gases produced by human activities have been predominating over those of natural origin (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-IPCC, 2000), thereby upsetting the natural atmospheric balance. This increased concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) raises global temperatures which have adverse impacts on our environment and public health. The waste sector is a significant contributor to GHGs emissions and is accountable for approximately 5% of the global greenhouse budget (IPCC, 2006). The majority of these emissions are a result of landfills, which remains the primary waste disposal strategy globally (Attenborough, Gregory & McGeochan, 2002).

Energy consumption contributes directly to climate change by adding carbon-based molecules to the atmosphere in excess of naturally occurring amounts. Carbon molecules, primarily carbon dioxide from burning petroleum products, trap radiant heat and keep it from escaping from the Earth's atmosphere (IEA, 2005). The resulting warming of the air is changing our global climate. Thus, landfills are among the nations’ largest emitters of CO2 and CH4, the key greenhouse gases (GHGs) which modify the Earth’s climate, and as such effective mitigation of these greenhouse gas emissions is important and could provide environmental benefits and sustainable development, as well as reduce adverse impacts on public health (Sheehan, 2000; Briney, 2013).

Landfilling is the primary waste disposal strategy particularly in developing countries (Lou, 2009). Landfills are among the nation’s largest emitters of methane, a key greenhouse gas (GHG), and there is considerable interest in quantifying the methane emissions from landfills (Mackie, 2009). The greenhouse gases (GHGs) related to landfilling is mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) which are produced by anaerobic bacteria as a result of degradation of the carbon contained in the waste (IPCC, 2007a; Gardner et al., 1993). NMOCs (non-methane organic compounds) usually make up less than 1% of landfill gas. Methane is regarded as one of the most important GHGs because its global warming potential has been estimated to be more than 20 times of that of carbon dioxide, in addition, atmospheric methane concentration has been increasing in the range of 1–2% per year (IPCC, 2007a). Methane is regarded as one of the most important GHGs because its global warming potential has been estimated to be more than 20 times that of carbon dioxide. A ton of municipal solid waste land-filled produces 123 pounds of methane- a potent greenhouse gas, 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (EA, 2008).

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the effects of methane emissions from landfills in Nigeria.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that developing country like Nigeria is particularly at risk, because of her bad waste management system and unhealthy disposal practices. Global temperature will continue to increase causing further disruption to climate patterns. Ultimately, all this can only be brought under control by engaging in sustainable waste management practices, and stabilizing greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere. It is on this backdrop that the researcher intends to investigate the impact of land fill emission on the environment.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the effects of methane emissions from landfills in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain the relationship between landfill emission and environmental pollution;
2. To ascertain the effect of solid waste management in reducing air pollution;
3. To investigate the effect of Methane emission from landfills on environmental pollution;
4. To ascertain the impact land fill emission on the environment; and
5. To identify the solutions to waste management to reduce the amount of methane emission from landfill.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the relationship between land fill emission and environmental pollution?
• What is the effect of solid waste management in reducing air pollution?
• What is the effect of Methane emission from land fill on environmental pollution?
• What is the impact land fill emission on the environment?
• What are the solutions to waste management to reduce the amount of methane emission from landfill?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Methane emission from land fill has no significant impact on the environment
• H1: Methane emission from land fill has a significant impact on the environment

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant relationship between Methane emission from land fill and environmental pollution
• H1: There is a significant relationship between Methane emission from land fill and environmental pollution

1.7 Significance of Study

The findings of this study will be of great importance to the ministry of environment in ensuring that the environment is devoid of pollution. The findings will also be of great benefit to the waste management agency in ensuring that the waste are properly disposed to ensure that it does not constitute a major air pollution in the society.

The study will also be of importance to researcher who wishes to carry out investigation in similar topic. Finally, the study will be of importance to lecturers, students, teachers and academia’s as the findings will add to the pool of knowledge.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the effects of methane emissions from landfills in Nigeria.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Land Fill: A landfill site is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and the oldest form of waste treatment.