Environmental factors affecting growth of grasses,herbs and woody plants on a sanitary landfill

The present study aims at studying relationships between various environmental factors andplant performance on a completed sanitary landfill. Three sites were chosen for comparison: an on-sitelow landfill gas region with a rich vegetation growth (Site L) , an on-site high landfill gas region with apoor vegetation growth (Site H), an off site control region (Site N) which located close to the GinDrinkers' Bay landfill. In Site H, where the levels of methane and carbon dioxide were higher, growth oftrees, shrubs and climbing plants are adversely affected, but not herbs and grasses. Analysis of correla-tion coefficient indicated that carbon dioxide and methane showed a negative correlation with the growth oftrees and shrubs. In Site H, the higher levels of conductivity, Kjeldah-N, Ammonium-N, and variousheavy metals, such as Mn were also exerted their adverse effect on plant growth. Trees tolerant to land-fill gas , e. g. Acacia confusa . would be a better choice for planting on sanitary landfills , in addition to theuse of shallow-rooted trees. Grasses and herbs are less susceptible to landfill gas due to their shallow-rootsystems. Hydroseeding of grasses would ensure a better plant coverage in areas with a moderate level oflandfill gas. Installation of a ventilation system might be needed for areas with a high level of landfill gas.