Abandoned landfills are a major contributor to methane escaping into the atmosphere. Researchers at the University of Illinois believe the use of charcoal can greatly reduce the amount of methane escaping into the atmosphere. These researchers believe that a layer of biochar would trap the methane long enough for methanotropic bacteria to get rid of the methane and instead release carbon dioxide which is less harmful. Biochar is charcoal made from wood, crop waste, or other types of biomass. Usually, the methane escapes too fast for the bacteria to consume most of it. A layer of charcoal gives the bacteria more time to break it down. Biochar is also very cheap and sustainable and even helps oxygenate the soil which promotes the growth of the bacteria. Another advantage to biochar is that the process of making it produces a bio-gas which can be used for fuel.
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