Characterizing the Microbiome of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Experiencing Atypical Temperatures

Landfill microbiology is a sparsely researched field. In these environments, elevated temperatures (above 45 °C) are uncommon, but they are a growing area of concern. Looking at one landfill experiencing above average temperatures (up to 87 °C) helps determine how landfill microbiomes respond to temperature change. Recent advances in sequencing technology provides an opportunity for a comprehensive investigation of these ecosystem dynamics using next generation sequencing. The microbiome observed is unlike the typical landfill community structure. Landfill samples were predominantly Firmicutes, especially in higher temperature samples (above 79 °C). Impacts on methanogens and methanotrophs are of great interest due to their role in global methane emissions. This community experiencing higher than usual temperatures provides insight on unexplored landfill ecosystem dynamics.