Preliminary tests for the application of landfill in situ aeration in a mountain area in northern Italy

In situ aeration of landfills enables the aerobic degradation process to develop in the landfill with the subsequent reduction of the emission potential in a much shorter time than under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, in situ aeration is particularly recommended as landfill pre-treatment before landfill mining activities. Preliminary investigations are required, to be carried out on the landfill by means of a pilot scale plant, in order to acquire the relevant information for the design of a full scale in situ aeration plant. Some results are presented below, obtained during preliminary investigations carried out on a municipal solid waste landfill in a mountain area in northern Italy, aimed at the application of in situ aeration in view of landfill mining.