Atmospheric parameters play an important role in driving hydrogen sulphide concentrations in ambient air near waste management centres

Abstract

Emissions of odorous compounds are major contributors to public opposition when siting waste management facilities. Thus, it is essential to understand how to minimise the concentration of odour-causing chemicals in ambient air surrounding such facilities. Although the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere is a function of meteorology, there is limited data on the atmospheric parameters that drive ambient air concentrations of odour-causing substances in settlements near waste management facilities. Here, we analysed how temperature, wind direction, wind speed, atmospheric pressure and humidity impact the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) in the ambient air, a potentially toxic chemical and a chief contributor to noxious odours. The relative contribution of each variable was assessed using multivariate statistical analysis applied to an extensive data set of over 7,000 data points collected during 2021. Our results show that all tested atmospheric parameters significantly affected H₂S concentrations in ambient air. Wind direction had the greatest impact on H₂S concentrations, followed by temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind speed. Specifically, the concentration of H₂S was positively correlated with humidity and atmospheric pressure and had a U-shaped correlation with temperature. Atmospheric variables were able to explain 15% of variation in H₂S concentrations (R² = 15%), indicating the presence of other factors affecting H₂S ambient air concentrations. Our study shows that proper consideration of atmospheric parameters, especially wind direction and temperatures, is of uttermost importance when siting waste management facilities. The conclusions are broadly applicable to odorous compounds near waste management facilities, so adverse effects to human health and the environment can be minimised.

Keywords: Atmospheric parameters; Bioreactor landfills; Hydrogen sulphide; Mechanical–biological treatment; Odours; Solid recovered fuel; Waste management centres.