REMOTE SENSING ANALYSIS COUPLED TO FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR THE EVALUATION OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM A LANDFILL SITE: A CASE STUDY

SUMMARY: the waste disposal in sanitary landfills generates landfill gas (LFG), mainly constituted by methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), because of the anaerobic degradation of the organic matter contained in the disposed waste. It is worth mentioning that CH4 is recognized as one of the most important contributor to global warming and sanitary landfills for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) have been found to be a significant source of CH4 generation and emission. The main aim of the present work was the evaluation of methane emissions from a Sicilian landfill site by coupling of direct field measurements and ground temperature data acquired through remote sensing techniques. It is worth mentioning that both acquisition methodologies were performed almost simultaneously. The investigated landfill cell was in a post-operation phase and with permanent final cap. The obtained results revealed a correlation between methane flux and surface ground temperature in the investigated area. However, further studies are required to fully explain the mechanisms of this relationship, also referring to the distribution of the specific heat of ground surface.