Abstract
The only way to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Oman is in engineered landfills without pre-treatment. An effective waste management system requires a reliable database of solid waste composition, properties, and energy content. Although investigating waste in landfills in Muscat Governorate is challenging and complex, it is essential. In this study, MSW from Muscat Governorate landfills is examined. The MSW samples were collected et al. Amerat and Barka landfills in 2020 in order to determine some of the importance of their physiochemical properties and the ratio of materials (food, plastic, and paper). It was found that approximately 50% of the weight of the disposed waste was recyclable. There were high levels of biodegradable organic material in MSW. In terms of moisture content, MSW ranged from 21.5 to 43.3%. Both the volatility and loss of ignition of MSW were high. It was found that the total oxide ratios ranged from 12.4 to 44.06%. The elemental analysis of Muscat MSW resulted in six chemical formulas for MSW with and without sulfur. Silica is the most influential oxide, followed by calcium oxide. The findings of this study indicate that almost half of Muscat’s municipal solid waste can be recycled. Solid waste can be recycled to create renewable materials that can replace oil as a by-product of the recycling industry. Additionally, Muscat MSW has a high moisture content, which enables it to be composted and biodegraded. Moreover, waste-to-energy technologies are feasible due to their high-energy content.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
References
Abu-Qdais HA (2000) Energy content of municipal solid waste in Jordan and its potential utilization. Energy Convers Manage 41:983–991. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00155-7
Al-Awadhi T, Charabi Y, Choudri BS, BaniOraba Y (2018) Flooding risk analysis: a case study of Muscat Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Hum Ecol Risk Assess: An Int J 24:667–678. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2017.1396441
Al-Maaded M, Madi NK, Kahraman R, Hodzic A, Ozerkan NG (2012) An overview of solid waste management and 568 plastic recycling in Qatar. J Polym Environ 20:186–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-011-0332-2
Altouqi S (2020) Closing 300 dumpsites in six years: an Oman success story. The Magazine for Environmental Managers, p 5
American Public Health Association (1999) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 20th Edition: American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environmental Federation. Washington DC
Azam M, Jahromy SS, Raza W, Raza N, Lee SS, Kim KH, Winter F (2020) Status, characterization, and potential utilization of municipal solid waste as a renewable energy source. Environ Int 134:105291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105291
AzimiJibril JD, Sipan IB, Sapri M, Shika SA, Isa M, Abdullah S (2012) 3Rs a critical success factor in solid waste management systems for higher educational institutions. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 65:626–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.11.175
Be’ah (2020) Waste characterization report at Barka engineered landfill. Technical Report. https://www.beah.om/web/guest/publications. Accessed 15 June 2020
Beigl P, Lebersorger S, Salhofer S (2008) Modelling municipal solid waste generation: a review. Waste Manag 28:200–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12.011
Baawain M, Al-Mamun A, Omidvarborna H, Al-Amri W (2017) Ultimate composition analysis 583 of municipal solid 584 waste in Muscat. J Clean Prod 148:355–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.013
Bosmans A, Vanderreydt I, Geysen D, Helsen L (2013) The crucial role of waste-to-energy technologies in enhanced landfill mining: a technology review. J Clean Prod 55:10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.05.032
Dahlén L, Lagerkvist A (2008) Methods for household waste composition studies. Waste Manag 28:1100–1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.08.014
Davis ML, David A (2008) Introduction to environmental engineering. McGrawHill Companies, New York
Fudala-Ksiazek S, Pierpaoli M, Kulbat E, Luczkiewicz A (2016) A modern solid waste management strategy–the generation of new by-products. Waste Manag 49:516–529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.01.022
Gidarakos E, Havas G, Ntzamilis P (2006) Municipal solid waste composition determination supporting the integrated solid waste management system on the island of Crete. Waste Manag 26:668–679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.07.018
Gu F, Hall P, Miles NJ (2016) Performance evaluation for composites based on recycled polypropylene using principal component and cluster analysis. J Clean Prod 115:343–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.062
Gu F, Guo J, Zhang W, Summers PA, Hall P (2017) From waste plastics to industrial raw materials: a life cycle assessment of mechanical plastic recycling practice based on a real-world case study. Sci Total Environ 601–602:1192–1207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.278
Guérin R, Munoz ML, Aran C, Laperrelle C, Hidra M, Drouart E, Grellier S (2004) Leachate recirculation: moisture content assessment through a geophysical technique. Waste Manag 24:785–794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2004.03.010
Haya (2020) Al Multaqaa Sanitary Landfill. Technical Report. https://www.beah.om/web/guest/publications. Accessed 15 June 2020
Hereher ME, Al-Awadhi T, Mansour SA (2020) Assessment of the optimized sanitary landfill sites in Muscat, Oman. Egypt J Remote Sens Space Sci 23:355–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2019.08.001
Hoornweg D, Bhada-Tata P (2012) What a waste: a global review of solid waste management. Urban development series; knowledge papers no. 15. World Bank, Washington DC
Hui Y, Li’ao W, Fenwei S, Gang H (2006) Urban solid waste management in Chongqing: challenges and opportunities. Waste Manag 26:1052–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.09.005
Hupponen M, Grönman K, Horttanainen M (2015) How should greenhouse gas emissions be considered in municipal solid waste management procurements? A case study of the South Karelia region. Finland Waste Manag 42:196–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.03.040
Hwang KL, Choi SM, Kim MK, Heo JB, Zoh KD (2017) Emission of greenhouse gases from waste incineration in Korea. J Environ Manag 196:710–718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.03.071
Igoni AH, Ayotamuno MJ, Eze CL, Ogaji SOT, Probert SD (2008) Designs of anaerobic digesters for producing biogas from municipal solid waste. Appl Energy 85:430–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2007.07.013
Ionescu G, Marculescu C, Badea A (2011) Alternative solutions for MSW to energy conversion. UPB Sci Bull 73:243–254
Kuleape R, Cobbina SJ, Dampare SB, Duwiejuah AB, Amoako EE, Asare W (2014) Assessment of the energy recovery potentials of solid waste generated in Akosombo. Ghana Afr J Environ Sci Technol 8:297–305. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2014.1663
Magrinho A, Didelet F, Semiao V (2006) Municipal solid waste disposal in Portugal. Waste Manag 26:1477–1489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.03.009
Maksimuk Y, Antonava Z, Krouk V, Korsakova A, Kursevich V (2020) Prediction of higher heating value based on elemental composition for lignin and other fuels. Fuel 263:116727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116727
McKay G (2002) Dioxin characterization, formation and minimization during municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration. J Chem Eng 86:343–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1385-8947(01)00228-5
Memon MA (2010) Integrated solid waste management based on the 3R approach. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 12:30–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-009-0274-0
Omaima Al Samsami (2021) Characterization of landfills solid waste and sewage sludge in Muscat and estimation of their energy recovery. Master thesis, Sultan Qaboos University
Orhorhoro EK, Ebunilo PO, Sadjere EG (2017) Experimental determination of effect of total solid (TS) and volatile solid (VS) on biogas yield. Am J Mod Energy 3:131–135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170306.13
Peavy HS, Rowe DR, Tchobanoglous G (1985) Environmental engineering. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York
Prabhu C (2019) French utility wins Barka landfill contract. Oman Observer Journal. https://www.omanobserver.om/article/20133/Business/french-utility-wins-barka-landfill-contract. Accessed 20 Mar 2023
Pradel M, Aissani L, Villot J, Baudez JC, Laforest V (2016) From waste to added value product: towards a paradigm shift in life cycle assessment applied to wastewater sludge–a review. J Clean Prod 131:60–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.076
Pradhan S (2011) Production and characterization of activated carbon from a suitable industrial sludge. Dissertation, National Institute of Technology India
Prairie Village KS (1999) Characterization of municipal solid waste in the United States: 1998 Update. Franklin Associates Ltd. Prepared for the USEPA
Saha AK (2013) Environmental aspects of solid waste management: a case study of Pabna city in Bangladesh. Int J Adv Sci Eng Technol 2:1–8
Sharholy M, Ahmad K, Mahmood G, Trivedi RC (2008) Municipal solid waste management in Indian cities–a review. Waste Manage 28:459–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.02.008
Staley BF, Barlaz MA (2009) Composition of municipal solid waste in the United States and implications for carbon sequestration and methane yield. J Environ Eng 135:901–909. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000032
Tian WD, Wei XL, Wu DY, Li J, Sheng HZ (2001) Analysis of ingredient and heating value of municipal solid waste. J Environ Sci 13:87–91
Tursunov O, Dobrowolski J, Nowak W (2015) Catalytic energy production from municipal solid waste biomass: a case study in Perlis, Malaysia. World J Environ Eng 3:7–14. https://doi.org/10.12691/wjee-3-1-2
Yang N, Zhang H, Chen M, Shao LM, He PJ (2012) Greenhouse gas emissions from MSW incineration in China: Impacts of waste characteristics and energy recovery. Waste Manag 32:2552–2560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.06.008
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (2010) Solid waste management in the world’s cities: water and sanitation in the world’s cities 2010. UN-HABITAT. https://unhabitat.org/solid-waste-management-in-the-worldscities-water-and-sanitation-in-the-worlds-cities-2010-2. Accessed 7 Sept 2023
Zafar S (2020a) Solid waste management in Oman. Available. EcoMENA Journal. https://www.ecomena.org/solidwaste-oman. Accessed 20 Mar 2023
Zafar S (2020b) Municipal solid waste management in Oman. BioEnergy Consult Journal. https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/msw-oman. Accessed 20 Mar 2023
Zhou H, Meng A, Long Y, Li Q, Zhang Y (2014) An overview of municipal solid waste fuel characteristics in China: physical, chemical composition and heating value. Renew Sust Energ Rev 36:107–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.024
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Talal Etri was involved with the conceptualization, methodology, data analysis, and writing of the first draft of the manuscript. Omaima Al Samsami assisted in the conceptualization, methodology, data analysis, provision of resources, review, and editing of the paper. Mahad Said Baawain assisted in the conceptualization, data analysis, and provision of resources.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Ta Yeong Wu
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Etri, T., Al Samsami, O. & Baawain, M. Characterization of landfills solid waste in Muscat and estimation of their energy recovery. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 104901–104915 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29611-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29611-5