Temporal variation of trace compound emission on the working surface of a landfill in Beijing, China

The temporal variation of trace component emissions from the working surface of a landfill in Beijing was investigated. Specific days in a year were selected as representatives for all four seasons. Different chemical species were quantified in all four seasons with the following average concentrations: spring: 41 compounds, 2482.6 μg m−3; summer: 59 compounds, 4512.6 μg m−3; fall: 66 compounds, 2438.4 μg m−3; and winter: 54 compounds, 2901 μg m−3. The detected compounds included sulfur compounds, oxygenated compounds, aromatics, hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, and terpenes. Oxygenated compounds were the most abundant compound in most samples. Isobutane, ethyl alcohol, limonene, butane, toluene, and trichlorofluoromethane were recognized as the most abundant compounds on the working surface throughout the year. This study would bring new light in assessing the particle pollution in urban areas and the effect of trace components on landfill odor.