Mathematical modelling of landfill degradation

This paper presents a mathematical model for the primary and secondary stages of biodegradation within domestic landfills. Quantitative relations are proposed to describe the rates of mass conversion between the major landfill chemicals and the effects of gas evolution. Particular attention is given to the methanogenic stage with the associated bacterial population being modelled explicitly. The processes are phrased in terms of a system of coupled differential equations, and examples of their numerical solution are given for cases in which spatial dependency is neglected. The main inadequacies of this model and the need for more appropriate data are indicated.