IMPACT OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE ON METHANE EMISSIONS FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Methane, is a powerful Greenhouse gas, more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than

Carbon dioxide, with a global warming potential 34 times greater than Carbon dioxide. The

objective of this study was to assess the impact of atmospheric pressure on methane emissions

from Maimalari municipal solid waste disposal site in Kano metropolis. The reading of Methane

emission, using Crowcon–Gasman “FL”, was done during both the morning (07:00 hours to 09:00

hours’ local time) and afternoon (13:00 hours to 15:00 hours’ local time) periods. First of all, the

readings were taken at about the center position of the disposal site, and then one each at 100m

away from the center at the four cardinal points (North, East, South, and West). This makes a total

reading of five, and per period, for each observation day. The monitoring points over a disposal

site were labeled as A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, in which A1 is the point at the center, A2 at the

north, A3 at the south, A4 at the west and A5 is the point at the east. The mean of the five readings

constitute the average Methane emissions for the site, for each period. The geographic coordinates

of the center position of the monitoring points (A1) was recorded using a portable Garmin Global

Positioning System (GPS) receiver. During the monitoring, the Crowcon–Gasman “FL” was held

within 30 to 60 centimeters off the ground surface. Also, the concentration of Methane emissions

was recorded in percentage (%) (lower explosive limit). The monitoring covered one season of the

year (cool dry season of the harmattan, January, 2024). The monitoring was conducted at the first

seven consecutive days of January. However, the results of the study revealed that the correlation

coefficient value (-0.675) for Pressure and Methane emissions is very significant, statistically

(0.00<0.05), hence, the relationship is negative, confirming that Pressure has a significant negative

impact on Methane emissions at the site. The study recommends that monitoring of methane

emissions should be conducted during periods when atmospheric pressure is falling.