Which gas is primarily captured by landfill gas collection systems?

Landfill gas collection systems are primarily designed to capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is produced during the decomposition of organic materials in landfills under anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) conditions. Methane is considered significantly more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, making its capture and management crucial in reducing the overall environmental impact of landfills.

While carbon dioxide is also generated during decomposition, methane accounts for a larger portion of the gas produced in landfills and poses a greater environmental risk. Nitrogen and oxygen are present in the atmosphere but are not significant components of landfill gas, as they do not result from the anaerobic digestion processes occurring in landfills. Therefore, the focus on methane in landfill gas collection is essential for both environmental protection and energy recovery efforts.