• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.407-417
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• 2003

In this study, we measured the concentration of VOCs in ambient air and landfill gas (LFG) in a midsize municipal landfill site. The LFG flux values of VOCs were computed using a total of fifteen VOCs determined by GC-PID system. To understand relative contribution of these 15 VOCs to the total carbon budget, their concentration and flux estimates were compared to those of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) measured concurrently. It was also found that there were systematic differences in absolute VOC concentration levels between LFG and air samples above landfill surface. The VOC concentrations in LFG samples were high enough to reach above a few tens of ppm that are 10 to 100 times higher than those in air above landfill surface. If the LFG flux values were computed using the LFG concentration data of 15 VOCs and NMHC with exit ventilation speed, the magnitude of emissions in the study area is estimated to be 8.6 and 103 ton C/yr, respectively. In the meantime, large fraction of those speciated VOC emissions is accounted for by BTEX.