Evaluation of methane concentrations in sites near the landfill of Palermo

In a precedent work we analysed the pollutant emissions produced by the controlled MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) landfill of “Bellolampo”, in Palermo, on the neighbouring areas. In order to evaluate pollutant dispersion, a Gaussian dispersion model was applied to a data bank, based on meteorological parameters and on methane concentrations, measured by the monitoring system installed in the urban area. In that evaluation the landfill was schematized as point source diffusion. The pollutants emissions calculated with that model are as more adherent to the truth as more far from the landfill is the investigation site. In the case of sites near to the landfill, the schematization of point source results less valid, when the spatial extension is comparable with the distance from the investigation points. This paper considers the above mentioned problem by taking into account as investigation site the CEP district in Palermo, placed in the proximities of the landfill area.