Articles tagged with Methane Emissions
A recent NTU Singapore study finds that climate change is a stronger driver of increasing atmospheric methane than expected, leading to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere. The research suggests that nature could be producing more and consuming less methane than previously realized, contributing to higher methane emissions.
Researchers found that African lakes emit little CO2 but high amounts of methane, adding to greenhouse gas burden. Phytoplankton's warm conditions promote archaea production, leading to increased CH4 emissions.
A new Imperial analysis found that biogas and biomethane supply chains release more than twice as much methane as previously estimated, with 62% of leaks concentrated in a few 'super-emitters'. The researchers call for better monitoring and fixing of leaks to ensure the continued use of these climate-friendly gases.
A new study finds that reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane and ozone can cut the rate of global warming in half by 2050. This approach offers a fighting chance to prevent catastrophic warming and improve our chances of remaining below the 1.5 degree centigrade mark.
A new study in Northern Sweden found that methane emissions from thawing permafrost can be reduced by a factor of 10 due to changes in hydrology, plant community, and microorganisms. As permafrost thaws, new plant species adapt to drier soil conditions, reducing methane transport and allowing bacteria to break it down.
Researchers argue that methane's climate impact is inadequately represented in existing governance frameworks, neglecting its role in near-term climate change and air pollution. Policymakers can take swift action with available technologies and cost-effective measures to reduce methane emissions.
Researchers investigated the impact of seasonal variations in methanogenic and methanotrophic communities on CH4 emissions in wetlands. They identified a keystone species that plays a pivotal role in mediating CH4 fluxes, providing substantial evidence for understanding microbial driving mechanisms.
A meta-analysis found that adopting existing mitigation strategies could reduce livestock methane emissions enough to help the sector limit its share of global warming to the 1.5°C target by 2030. The identified most effective strategies include increasing feed intake, grazing on less mature grass, and feeding concentrates.
A new model predicts how oil and gas wells heat up the surrounding permafrost, causing it to thaw and release methane. The study shows that operating a single well for 30 years can melt the surrounding permafrost in a 10-meter radius, releasing up to 500,000 cubic meters of methane.
A Stanford-led study found that methane leaks in the Permian Basin of New Mexico are several times greater than federal estimates, with over 9% of production being leaked. The researchers used airborne sensors to detect leaks and identified super-emitters responsible for the majority of emissions.
Researchers have deciphered the activity of B12-dependent radical SAM enzymes, which regulate methane production by archaea. The study's findings have implications for biotechnologies that control key enzymatic events and could help reduce global warming.
A recent study reveals that tropical terrestrial methane emissions account for over 80% of the observed changes in global atmospheric methane growth rate between 2010 and 2019. This finding underscores the significant impact of methane on climate change, with methane concentrations more than doubling since the pre-industrial era.
A new study finds that immediate action to reduce methane emissions could preserve Arctic summer sea ice through 2100, with drastic cuts in CO2 also necessary. The chances of saving summer sea ice increase from nearly zero without action to over 80% if net zero CO2 emissions are reached by 2050.
A new study using K-Lander observatory technology reveals high variability in methane release from Arctic seabed sites, with implications for estimating global methane budgets. The long-term data series provides valuable insights into short-term and seasonal variations of methane emissions.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that London is releasing more methane than previously thought, primarily due to natural gas infrastructure leaks. The findings suggest that upgrading leaky pipes could significantly reduce emissions. This research highlights the importance of atmospheric measurements in tracking progress t...
Researchers at CSU are developing a system to recapture and burn crankcase ventilation gas, reducing methane emissions by over 75%. The project partners with Caterpillar to test their engine and design the system, which aims to solve a significant industry problem.
A new Stanford University study reveals that using a 100-year timeframe underestimates methane's importance in achieving Paris Agreement climate goals by up to 87%. The researchers propose using a 24-year timeframe instead, which would ensure emissions of methane are weighted correctly over the time period before temperature thresholds...
A recent study by Kayrros and French Climate and Environmental Science Laboratory (LSCE) provides the first statistical characterization of methane ultra-emitters from oil and gas activities. The study detects approximately 1,800 ultra-emitters, which account for a significant portion of global methane emissions.
Researchers detect hundreds of major methane releases linked to global oil and gas extraction activities, with a one-year comparison to 20 million vehicles. Limiting these emissions could mitigate climate effects and save billions of dollars for fossil-fuel-producing countries.
Researchers found that microbes in the soils generate methane gas, which is then processed as it moves through dead trees. The findings shed light on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions from ghost forests, a growing concern due to rising sea levels.
Researchers have found that special treatment of minerals called zeolites can efficiently remove methane from the air, with advantages over other methods. The process converts methane into carbon dioxide, which is less impactful in the atmosphere than methane.
A new study published in Nature Food highlights the importance of methane abatement options in slowing down agriculture's contribution to global warming. The research shows that focusing on short-term effects of methane can lead to greater emission reductions, making low-meat diets a powerful mitigation mechanism.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a catalyst technology that converts methane into ethane and ethylene with high efficiency and selectivity. The new technology uses platinum-based MXene structures to break down methane bonds, producing valuable chemicals without emitting the most abundant greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
Research reveals that tree root systems are a significant source of methane emissions in wetland areas, including the Amazon basin. The study suggests that existing models may be underestimating methane emissions by neglecting the role of trees.
A recent study found that adopting a reduced meat diet can significantly improve human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The researchers compared different diets, including a Mediterranean diet with more fish and seafood, and a vegan diet, to a reference diet based on German Nutrition Society recommendations.
Researchers at UNM are working on a DOE-funded project to develop low-cost sensors for detecting natural gas pipeline leaks. The sensors can quantify methane concentrations and identify sources of emissions, helping to pinpoint the origin of methane emissions in the US.
Researchers from Australian National University warn that Australia's hydrogen strategy lacks distinction between green and blue hydrogen, which could increase emissions. Large-scale investment in fossil fuel-based hydrogen with carbon capture technology may be risky due to substantial fugitive emissions.
A new study using methane stable isotopes and thousands of emissions scenarios confirms that agricultural emissions are the primary driver of atmospheric methane increases. Human activities account for 60% of global methane emissions, with significant contributions from agriculture, landfills, and oil and gas industries.
Researchers tracked methane emissions from the region's 10,000 oil and gas wells, finding that they fell by half between 2015 and 2020. Despite this decline, methane leaks remained high, accounting for about six to eight percent of produced natural gas.
A new study reveals that marine microbes are able to consume more methane from sediments than anticipated, preventing its release into the ocean and subsequent environmental consequences. This discovery suggests that these microbes play a crucial role in suppressing methane emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
A new study reveals that methane emissions from US cities are 2-10 times higher than recent estimates, with Boston's emissions being six times higher due to pipeline and end-use emitters. The research found that seasonal consumption-based emissions account for 56% of total natural gas emissions in Boston.
A new study provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate the emissions of three major greenhouse gases from food production and consumption. The research found that animal-based foods emit 57% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while plant-based foods account for 29%, with CO2 being the most important emission factor.
A new model developed by Stanford researchers provides a more accurate baseline for tracking methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The model, which uses bottom-up approach with component-level data, closely approximates top-down inventories and highlights specific activities that should be targeted for remediation or regulation.
A new study suggests that thawing permafrost in Siberia may release large amounts of methane gas from limestone formations, posing a significant threat to global warming. Elevated methane concentrations were detected in two areas with limestone bedrock, indicating that fracture systems in these formations became permeable upon warming.
A new study from Monterey Bay Aquarium illustrates the disparity between global emissions and local climate change impacts. The research shows that regions generating most emissions are different from those expected to experience the greatest warming, with 90% of all greenhouse emissions originating from just 8% of Earth's surface area.
A recent study using ethane proxies has found that oil and gas wells contribute significantly to greenhouse warming, exceeding EPA estimates by 48-76%. The researchers tracked ethane and methane emissions across the US over three seasons, providing new insights into fossil fuel sources.
A study conducted by researchers in Paris identified the natural gas distribution network as a major source of methane emissions, accounting for 63% of total emissions. The study also found that sewage networks were another significant source of methane, with 33% of total emissions attributed to these systems.
Researchers from Skoltech conducted experiments measuring gas permeability under various conditions for ice-containing sediments mimicking permafrost. The study showed high probability of increasing permeability coupled with dissociation of gas hydrates in permafrost, leading to methane emissions into the atmosphere.
A new analysis suggests that U.S. climate emissions from meat and dairy production are being understated due to undercounting of methane emissions. Methane emissions from North American livestock may be 39-90% higher than previously estimated, with potential consequences for global warming.
A new study reveals that global water reservoirs emit around 29% more greenhouse gases than previously thought, primarily due to methane degassing. Practical measures can be taken to reduce this impact, such as selectively withdrawing water from near the surface.
A new study finds that emission intensity per unit of animal protein produced from the livestock sector has decreased globally over the past two decades due to greater production efficiency. However, regional differences in emission intensities remain and are influenced by factors such as diet, grazing intensity, climate, and manure ma...
A recent study by the University of Cincinnati found that inactive oil wells in Texas can leak significant amounts of methane, with some emitting up to 132 grams per hour. The study suggests that regular inspections using infrared cameras could help address the issue.
A new study reveals that the social cost of methane varies by an order of magnitude between industrialized and developing regions, with sub-Saharan Africa facing significantly lower costs. The study estimates a global mean cost of $922 per metric ton, decreasing to $130 for sub-Saharan Africa and rising to $8,040 for the US.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience found that aquatic ecosystems are a significant source of global methane emissions, accounting for at least half of the total methane emissions budget. Human activities such as agriculture, fertilization runoff, and aquaculture contribute to these emissions.
Researchers used NIST's agricomb to measure methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water vapor from a beef cattle feedlot in Kansas. The portable system identified trace gases based on infrared light absorption, providing precise measurements of gas concentrations.
A new study found that oil production emits 90% higher methane than the EPA's estimated figures, while natural gas production emissions are 50% higher. The research team developed a method to trace and map total emissions using satellite data to identify areas with discrepancies.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that feeding seaweed to beef cattle can reduce methane emissions by 82 percent. The study, which tested seaweed supplements over five months, demonstrates the potential for sustainable livestock production and could help address climate change.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that supplementing beef cattle diets with red seaweed can significantly reduce methane emissions without compromising meat quality. The research showed reductions of up to 80% in methane production, and the authors suggest that this could help farmers improve efficiency and reduce costs.
A University of Oklahoma-led team identified limits in the major greenhouse emission database EDGAR, which underestimates paddy rice methane emissions. The researchers developed annual paddy rice maps to quantify spatial-temporal changes and improve simulations of models estimating methane emission.
Biologists from RUDN University studied the impact of jungles on global warming and found that tropical rainforests can be a significant source of methane emissions. The study, published in the Forests journal, suggests that these regions emit more methane throughout the year than they absorb, contrary to previous assumptions.
A new study found that extreme rainfall events in East Africa led to a substantial increase in methane emissions from wetlands, accounting for over a quarter of the global annual increase. The study used satellite data and atmospheric models to evaluate methane emissions during the 2018-2019 rainfall period.
A new study estimates that methane emissions from coal mines are approximately 50 percent higher than previously calculated. Methane is about 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the planet over a long period.
Global land-use greenhouse gas emissions from 1961 to 2017 have increased, jeopardizing the Paris climate agreement's goals. Poorer countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most pronounced surge in these emissions.
A recent study by McGill University finds that methane emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells in the US and Canada are significantly higher than previously estimated. The research estimates that these wells emit more methane gas than government records suggest, with implications for climate change.
A study by RUDN University scientists found that global warming increases methane and CO2 emissions in rice paddies through the priming effect. Temperature fluctuations amplify this process, with increased sensitivity at temperatures between 5-15°C.
Scientists have discovered a link between the moon's tidal forces and methane release in the Arctic Ocean. The study found that changes in pressure during tidal cycles can increase gas emissions from the seafloor, potentially leading to underestimated gas emissions. High tides tend to reduce emissions, while low tides increase them.
A massive methane release occurred in a deep ocean natural gas reservoir during the Pliocene, potentially affecting atmospheric concentrations. The study estimates that up to 27 teragrams of methane could have reached the atmosphere over 8 months, equivalent to 10% of current global annual emissions.
Global methane concentrations have risen due to increased anthropogenic emissions from the fossil fuel sector and agriculture. Key findings indicate a significant role of methane in climate change, with rapid emission reductions offering substantial benefits.
Researchers at West Virginia University are developing a methane mitigator system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas production sites. The goal is to decrease environmental impact and ensure compliance with emerging emissions restrictions, while improving overall system efficiency.
Researchers found that lake methane emissions peak between 10am and 4pm, suggesting wind plays a significant role. This discovery reduces estimated global methane emissions from northern lakes by 15%.