Abstract
Trees have morphological adaptations that allow methane (CH4) generated below ground to bypass oxidation in aerobic surface soils. This natural phenomenon however has not been measured in a landfill context where planted trees may alter the composition and magnitude of CH4 fluxes from the surface. To address this research gap, we measured tree stem and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CH4 and CO2) from a closed UK landfill and comparable natural site, using an off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy analyser and flux chambers. Analyses showed average CH4 stem fluxes from the landfill and non-landfill sites were 31.8 ± 24.4 µg m–2 h–1 and –0.3 ± 0.2 µg m–2 h–1, respectively. The landfill site showed seasonal patterns in CH4 and CO2 stem emissions, but no significant patterns were observed in CH4 and CO2 fluxes at different stem heights or between tree species. Tree stem emissions accounted for 39% of the total CH4 surface flux (7% of the CO2); a previously unknown contribution that should be included in future carbon assessments.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1618-1628 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Waste Management and Research |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 11 |
Early online date | 5 Apr 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: The manuscript is based on thesis work which was internally funded by The Open University.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.
Keywords
- Carbon cycle
- GHG emissions
- landfill
- spatial variability
- temporal variability
- tree stem CH
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Pollution