Substrate Availability in Solid Waste Landfills

<p>Numerous models exist to both predict and represent the many biological activities that occur in the modern landfill. These different models use varying methods of characterizing what is happening what is thought to happen or what should be happening based on both empirical data and theoretical reasoning. The model presented here is an extension of the system dynamics model originally presented by Colborn in 1997. The revamped model presents a different perspective on what happens as solid organic waste is transformed to simpler substances. This new view involves a bacterial population performing hydrolysis whose growth is limited by the amount of surface area present throughout a number of spheres. Environmental factors no longer bear directly on the microbial population but influence the rate at which hydrolysis occurs. In addition the concept of an inherent depletion rate constant has been introduced. This parameter explains the rate at which a mass of organic waste is depleted in relation to both the surface area present throughout a number of spheres and time.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>