In-situ moisture content measurement of landfill cover using Time Domain Reflectometry

The amount of methane that vent from landfills is dependent on the physical, chemical and biological components of the soil cover; moisture content and temperature of the soil being the major controlling factors. Previous studies have attempted to correlate moisture content and temperature with methane emission by collecting soil samples from landfill soil covers and analysing it in the laboratory for moisture content determination. Moisture content, temperature and methane data of the landfill soil cover were collected and analysed. Methane emission showed good temporal correlation with soil temperature, however no significant relationship between moisture content and methane emission was observed.