Articles tagged with Landfills
A new University of Washington study confirms that composting food scraps is the right thing to do for the environment. Composting significantly reduces methane emissions from landfills compared to sending food waste to landfills.
A national survey of US surface waters found pharmaceuticals in high levels near urban areas, posing risks to aquatic organisms. Research on complex mixtures of pharmaceuticals reveals inconsistent responses across different life stages, highlighting the need for diverse biological endpoints.
Researchers describe a new genus and species, Pliobates cataloniae, with characteristics similar to extant hominoids, overturning previous theories on gibbon origins. The fossil find provides clues about the origin of extant gibbons and their evolutionary relationships.
A new study reveals high levels of radioactivity in coal ash from all three major US coal-producing basins, up to five times higher than normal soil. The presence of radioactive elements like radium isotopes and lead-210 poses significant environmental and health risks if not properly regulated.
Current mobile contracts are causing significant environmental damage through frequent upgrades and waste. Researchers propose a cloud-based product service system to reduce precious resources needed for mobile devices.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed heat-triggered self-destructing electronic devices that dissolve into their molecular components. This technology reduces electronic waste and boosts sustainability in device manufacturing.
A Cooper's hawk in Greater Vancouver has been found with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) ever recorded, significantly higher than levels in California or China.
Researchers from Poland and the US turn disc fragments into activated carbon with high surface areas, capturing carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas, and benzene. The material could be used for carbon capture applications and separate volatile organic compounds.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that several additives claiming to break down plastics do not work in common disposal situations. The team tested five additives and three categories of biodegradation methods but found no difference between plastics with additives and those without.
Scientists have created a new technique to transform methane-emitting landfill gas into hydrogen, which can be used in fuel cells to generate clean electricity. The breakthrough involves using a highly stable catalyst material that prevents carbon deposition, allowing for more efficient production of hydrogen.
A team of environmental engineers at the University of Texas at Arlington has received a grant to study the feasibility of landfill gas-to-energy in Ghana. The project aims to adapt a sensor system to boost methane production and create an alternative energy source.
Researchers found that people tend to reject damaged or imperfect recyclables, citing them as useless. To combat this, consumers and manufacturers can take steps to override these tendencies by changing packaging and product design.
Researchers found that physical changes to products during and after consumption can reduce recycling rates. Consumers are more likely to throw away items with distorted forms than intact ones.
Researchers at UT Arlington have developed a new imaging system that doubles methane gas production in the city of Denton landfill. The system will enable the landfill to power up to 3,000 homes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Researchers at the University of Florida are investigating toxicity associated with aqueous solutions of carbon nanotubes used in manufacturing processes. By controlling the ratio of liquid to particulate, they found that toxicity can be reduced, paving the way for sustainable nano-tech products.
Researchers tested biofilter systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from old landfills, finding the radial design outperformed the vertical design in methane oxidation rates. The technology could significantly mitigate global warming impacts.
Research from North Carolina State University shows biodegradable products break down quickly, releasing potent greenhouse gas methane. The study suggests slower degradation is more environmentally friendly.
Research suggests that implementing landfill gas-recovery projects quickly can maximize methane gas retrieval from organic waste. Landfill gas (LFG) has the potential to be used as an alternative fuel, with half the caloric value of natural gas.
A new study from North Carolina State University has identified a specific microbe that is the key to methane production in landfills. This anaerobic bacterium, Methanosarcina barkeri, consumes acids and increases pH levels, making other areas habitable for more methanogens.
The pilot project uses a vegetative cap made from topsoil, compost, and tree and shrub planting to seal the old landfill. This approach reduces methane emissions and prevents rainfall from penetrating into groundwater, ultimately improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay by sequestering carbon.
Researchers use earthworms to treat wastewater and soil contaminated with nickel, chromium, vanadium, lead, arsenic, and mercury. The method shows promise as an inexpensive alternative to industrial cleanup methods.
Children in Uganda have high levels of lead poisoning due to proximity to a landfill, with 20.5% of children having elevated blood lead levels, posing developmental risks.
Competitive birding practices like World Series of Birding and big-year birding can harm the environment by visiting polluted sites such as Superfund sites and landfills. Many birders prioritize species tracking over environmental conservation.
A literature review reveals that landfill cover soils oxidize more methane than previously recommended guidelines suggest. The overall mean fraction oxidized was 36%, with a standard error of 6%, indicating that the actual oxidation rate is likely higher than current default values.
Growing plants and trees on landfills can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by four to five times. Phytocapping also cuts the cost of landfill remediation in half and provides biodiversity corridors. The technique uses a layer of top soil and dense vegetation to trap methane and water.
A novel environmental diagnostic method has been designed to quantify landfill environmental impact and adapt to different countries' laws and socioeconomic characteristics. The tool analyzes landfill dynamics and provides a set of environmental indexes to justify Conditioning Plans or Closing Plans.
Researchers in India suggest that landfill mining can recover recyclable materials, reduce landfill space, and produce compost. The study found that up to half of material dumped at open stabilized dumpsites could be recovered and reused as compost or daily cover material for landfills.
A new study by American Chemical Society researchers predicts that landfill burial will not release toxic chemicals, alleviating concerns about contaminated building debris. The computer model used a combination of organic material and chemical warfare agent data to simulate landfill behavior.
The device uses four sensors to analyze air composition and alert waste management companies to methane gas and odor levels, creating a healthier environment for local communities.
Researchers found that treated wood continues to leach arsenic into soil and rainwater runoff, posing significant environmental risks. The study's conclusions highlight the need for proper disposal methods for CCA-treated wood to prevent long-term contamination.
A Dartmouth study suggests that microbes interacting with iron oxides in landfills contribute to arsenic levels in drinking water. The researchers analyzed data from the Coakley Landfill and found a correlation between organic waste degradation and increased arsenic concentrations.
Researchers found that shredded tire chips provide effective drainage for modern and abandoned landfills, preventing water pollution and reducing costs. The study's results suggest a cost-effective alternative to traditional sand or gravel drainage materials.
Researchers have developed a new process that can efficiently break down paper into soluble sugars, potentially providing a solution to the global wastepaper glut. The method uses designer cellulosomes with unique enzymes that work together effectively to degrade cellulose chains.
The Geologic and Environmental Probe System (GEOPS) is an innovative technology that allows scientists to directly measure hazardous chemicals in the soil. By inserting the probe into the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil, researchers can gather accurate data quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.
Researchers found that common raven populations in the western Mojave Desert have exploded by 1,500 percent, posing a significant threat to young desert tortoises. The study used artificial baits to assess risk of predation and mapped areas with high predation risk, highlighting the importance of safe refuges for tortoises.
Researchers at Cardiff University are launching a survey to gather detailed data on commercial and industrial waste arisings in Wales. The survey will question 2,400 businesses across the country, providing valuable insights into waste generation and management practices.
Cardiff University researchers are conducting large-scale experiments to generate compost from municipal waste, aiming to reduce landfill gas emissions and save soil quality. By actively managing the composting process, they can produce high-quality compost in just eight weeks, compared to a year under traditional methods.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have devised a 'reverse production' system to recover and reuse materials from e-wastes, reducing the need for raw materials and protecting groundwater. The system uses mathematical models and expertise in recycling and separation to make the process economically viable.
Researchers at UCR's CE-CERT are developing a way to convert wet waste, such as sewage sludge and grass clippings, into synthetic diesel fuel and electricity. The process has the potential to produce up to 26 barrels of fuel and 34 megawatt-hours of electricity per day.
A 40% higher risk of chromosomal anomalies was found for residents living close to landfill sites compared to those further away. The study suggests that proximity to landfill sites is associated with an increased risk of congenital chromosomal abnormalities.
Scientists at Ohio State University found that saturated landfills can decompose biodegradable waste 10-20 times faster than usual. This means more room for additional trash in the same landfill, cutting down on the need for extra space and enabling recycling of extracted recyclables.
Researchers found up to 30% of fish showed signs of damage, including open wounds and underdeveloped ovaries, affecting reproduction. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause and potential consequences for other landfill sites.
A comprehensive international study by Duke University researchers found that waste-to-energy incineration is a competitive alternative only where economic and environmental considerations discourage landfills. Despite improved technology, WTE facilities cannot match conventional power plants in energy outputs or economics.