Articles tagged with Methane Emissions
Researchers at Linköping University developed a simple and cost-efficient logger for measuring greenhouse gases, including methane. The open-source Arduino-based system provides data on methane levels, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, making it easier to monitor emissions locally and globally.
A study published in Journal of Dairy Science proposes breeding dairy cattle to reduce methane production, which accounts for 13% of global GHG emissions. The research aims to decrease enteric methane by 4-6% in 10 years through increased milk productivity per cow.
Methane levels have surged globally, primarily driven by coal mining, oil and gas production, and cattle farming. The potent greenhouse gas poses a significant threat, with potential consequences including wildfires, droughts, and social disruptions.
New research suggests that as Earth warms, natural ecosystems like freshwaters will release more methane than predicted. The study attributes this difference to changes in microbial communities within ecosystems regulating methane emissions.
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that a feed additive called 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) can reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by 22-40%. The addition of 3-NOP to the diet did not affect dry matter intake or milk yield but increased milk fat concentration and yield.
Satellite data and airborne measurements show that methane emissions from lakes in the Arctic have been overestimated, with most emissions coming from smaller thermokarst lakes in organic-rich sediments. The study also found that low-emitting large lakes play a crucial role in regional flux estimates.
A new study using European satellite data found that Permian oil and gas operations are releasing methane at twice the average rate, with implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The data highlights the importance of satellite technology in tracking methane emissions from large areas.
Researchers found that adding cable bacteria to rice soil reduces methane emissions by over 90%. Cable bacteria recycle sulfur compounds, maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil and reducing methane-producing microbes' activity.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico emit approximately one-half a teragram of methane each year, comparable to large emitting oil and gas basins. The effective loss rate of produced gas is roughly 2.9%, significantly higher than current inventory estimates.
A new study reveals that warmer winters and shorter ice-free periods in northern lakes significantly increase methane emissions. In Finland, this could lead to a 26-59% increase in methane emissions by the end of the century.
Researchers at UC Davis found a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases to produce the same quantity and quality of milk between 1964 and 2014. The study also revealed significant reductions in water use and land requirements, saving an amount of land equal to the size of Connecticut.
A new study reveals that implementing available technology can significantly reduce methane emissions and mitigate climate change. The study estimates that between 30% and 50% of future global methane emissions can be removed at a cost below 50 €/t CO2eq, but acknowledges the need for regional- and sector-specific approaches to mitigat...
University of Rochester researchers found that the amount of methane emitted by humans is significantly higher than previously thought. By analyzing ancient air samples, they determined that reducing fossil fuel use can help curb climate change. The study suggests that anthropogenic methane emissions account for a larger portion of the...
New study reveals that methane emissions from the Arctic Ocean are much lower than previously thought, with 'hotspots' releasing up to 25 times more methane than on-shore wetlands. The findings suggest that the shallow eastern Arctic Ocean is not a significant source of methane to the atmosphere.
Researchers used airborne measurements to find that oil and gas facilities in the south central US are releasing up to 2.5 times more methane than EPA estimates suggest. The study, part of the ACT-America campaign, used weather models and ethane measurements to determine methane sources.
Scientists found that seasonal temperature variations in the Arctic Ocean significantly impact methane emissions, with a 43% decrease in colder conditions. This study corrected existing estimates in the methane emissions budget, highlighting the importance of considering seasonal changes in biogeochemical processes.
Researchers used atmospheric methane measurements to detect and quantify methane emissions from a gas well blowout in Ohio. The estimated emission rate was 120 metric tons per hour, exceeding the peak emission rate from the Aliso Canyon blowout in California in 2015.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals that one-third of the recent global methane increase comes from tropical Africa's tropics. The research used satellite data to examine trends in atmospheric methane between 26° N and 26° S, highlighting the importance of individual wetlands like the Sudd in South Sudan.
Tracking methane emissions is crucial to meeting global climate warming targets, with a need for improved measurement and modeling techniques. New technologies including isotopic variants and satellite mapping will help quantify emissions and understand mechanisms causing changes.
Research found that fluctuations in atmospheric pressure impact the amount of natural gas leaked from wells below ground surface. Continuous monitoring can help accurately detect and evaluate gas migrations and emissions, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions from leaking oil and gas wells.
Researchers have developed a machine learning model to predict global ocean methane emissions, providing a more accurate understanding of the atmosphere's methane cycle. The study reveals that very shallow coastal waters contribute around 50% of total ocean methane emissions, despite making up only 5% of the ocean area.
Researchers found that methane from natural gas wells and offshore oil rigs is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Controlling these emissions can have a rapid impact on climate change, with the half-life of methane in the atmosphere being just over a decade.
Researchers in Estonia have discovered a significant connection between deep-sea methane emissions and the onset of ice ages. The study reveals that methane release episodes in the Arctic Sea occurred three times over the past 160,000 years, with each episode lasting around 10,000 to 20,000 years.
Researchers link changing ice volumes to deep-sea methane release, revealing three episodes of methane emission over the past 160,000 years. The findings suggest that ice sheet movements activated faults, releasing methane from the seabed.
Researchers found that hydrology plays a greater role in methane emissions than plant species, highlighting the importance of wetland design. Constructed wetlands can be managed to reduce methane emissions by creating favorable conditions for oxygen delivery and soil saturation.
Researchers at Cornell University and Environmental Defense Fund found that fertilizer plant emissions are 100 times higher than industry reports, exceeding EPA estimates. The study used a mobile sensing approach to measure methane emissions from six plants, finding an average emission rate of 0.34 percent.
The Berkeley Lab project, SUMMATION, aims to quantify and mitigate methane emissions in California by identifying super emitters. Researchers will use a tiered observation system, combining fixed towers, aircraft, and field campaigns to detect and monitor methane emissions.
The study estimates that global lake greening could increase methane emissions by 30-90% over the next century. This is attributed to human population growth, climate change, and increased stormwater runoff, which lead to eutrophication and oxygen depletion in lakes.
A new IIASA study suggests that it is possible to neutralize the natural gas threat from thawing permafrost in the Arctic by controlling human emissions. The researchers found that reducing man-made methane emissions can outweigh a large Arctic natural emission increase, making it manageable.
A recent study found that early spring rainfall warms up thawing permafrost bogs in Alaska, promoting plant growth and increasing methane emissions. The team discovered a 30% increase in methane production compared to previous years, highlighting the sensitivity of these regions to thermal effects.
New research reveals China's coal mining regulations have not reduced methane emissions, despite a goal to remove or convert 5.6 million metric tons of methane from mines by 2015. Methane emissions instead rose by about 1.1 million metric tons per year between 2010 and 2015.
A Johns Hopkins study shows China's regulations on gas releases from its coal mines have been ineffective in reducing methane emissions. Methane emissions rose by approximately 1.1 teragrams each year from 2010 to 2015, accounting for 11-24% of the world's total increase.
Researchers found that changing agricultural practices and shifting diets away from meat and dairy products could reduce sector emissions by up to 50% by 2050. Dietary changes in overconsuming countries could contribute additional reductions of 23%, with the beef and dairy industries having high greenhouse gas intensities.
A study analyzing methane emissions in a natural gas production basin revealed significant diurnal variation in emission rates. Peak emissions occurred during working hours and coincided with aircraft-based measurements, potentially explaining discrepancies between top-down and bottom-up estimates.
A Colorado State University-led study found episodic releases of methane during daytime-only maintenance operations explain the persistent gap in total emissions accounting. The research used concurrent ground and aircraft measurements to advance basin-level emission quantification methods.
A study reveals that intermittent flooding in rice cultivation leads to higher nitrous oxide emissions, potentially up to 30-45 times higher than continuous flooding. Co-management of water, nitrogen, and carbon can reduce climate impacts by 10-90%.
A new study finds that rice farms emit 45 times more nitrous oxide than continuously flooded farms, which also predominantly emit methane. The authors call for scientists to map flooding regimes and measure emissions, as well as optimize water use to reduce climate impacts.
Researchers estimate US methane emissions from oil and gas supply chains are greater than thought, with emissions in 2015 about 60% higher than EPA estimates. The discrepancy is likely due to existing inventory methods not capturing abnormal operating conditions like malfunctions.
A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder estimates US oil and gas methane emissions are 60% higher than previously thought, with most emissions coming from leaks and equipment malfunctions. The study finds that repairing these leaks could reduce emissions by an estimated $2 billion annually.
The TRAX project is the only known transit-based mobile air quality network in North America. It has mapped out where and when different pollutants are present along its route, providing valuable insights into air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed more accurate models to predict methane emissions from dairy cattle, utilizing individual data from over 5,200 lactating cows from 15 countries. The new models can be used to create region-specific inventories, improving the accuracy of carbon footprint assessments and mitigation strategies.
A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography Letters shows that lake size and nutrients significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions from lakes into the atmosphere. The research found that methane, emitted from lakes in bubbles, is the dominant greenhouse gas coming from lakes globally.
A new laser-based system can detect small methane leaks over an area of several square miles, allowing for continuous monitoring of costly and dangerous leaks. The technology uses frequency comb laser spectroscopy to pinpoint the location and size of leaks with high sensitivity and range.
New research reveals that global fossil fuel emissions of hydrocarbons, particularly ethane and propane, have been significantly underestimated. These pollutants are harmful in large cities, forming ozone that directly links to increased mortality. The study calls for further investigation into methane emissions from natural gas sources.
A new study proposes a North American Methane Reduction Framework to integrate public and private research and mitigation policies in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The researchers suggest that estimating emissions consistently across U.S. jurisdictions can help achieve the goal of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas sectors by 2025.
Danish researchers have developed a method to reduce methane emissions from cattle by 5% through genetic selection, equivalent to 90,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This achievement has great prospects for climate-friendly bull semen exports and benefits cattle farmers.
Researchers found that ancient methane from ocean sediments is being released into the ocean, but only a small amount survives to be emitted to the atmosphere. The study suggests that catastrophic emission of methane from degrading hydrates may not be an inherent outcome of climate change.
A PSU researcher has discovered that small inland ponds account for a significant portion of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from inland waters. Her study, published in Nature Geoscience, revealed that these small ponds, despite being only 9% of the total surface area, contribute 15% of CO2 emissions and 41% of methane emissions.
A new study challenges previous estimates of US livestock methane emissions, suggesting a significant discrepancy between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The researchers used a spatially explicit approach to estimate enteric methane emissions for cattle and manure methane emissions for swine and poultry.
A new approach has been developed to measure methane emissions from livestock, highlighting the need for more accurate estimates. The study reveals that current data may be outdated and do not fully consider factors such as feed intake and manure storage, leading to large uncertainties in methane emission figures.
A recent study reveals a strong link between temperature and methane bubble emissions on a global scale. The research found that warming temperatures lead to increased production of these gas bubbles in aquatic environments, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Global CO2 emissions have stalled for the third consecutive year, with fossil carbon dioxide emissions slowing down since 2012. Meanwhile, methane and nitrous oxide emissions continue to rise, driven by agricultural activities and industrial production in key countries like China, US, and India.
A recent study by the University of Bristol found that India's methane emissions have shown little growth over the last few years, with accurate reporting by the country's authorities. The research used a combination of observations from the surface, an aircraft, and a satellite to quantify India's methane emissions.
New research found that global livestock methane emissions for 2011 are 11% higher than previously estimated. The study used revised emissions factors and spatially distributed annual carbon fluxes to calculate the increased emissions.
A research team has identified a methanotroph strain that can consume both methane and hydrogen gases, improving its growth and survival in various conditions. This finding has significant implications for greenhouse gas mitigation, as industrial companies can use these bacteria to convert harmful gases into useful products.
Researchers found natural geologic methane emissions were three to four times lower than previously estimated numbers, suggesting anthropogenic fossil methane emissions are higher. The study suggests reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels may be an even more important factor in reducing global warming.
A new study suggests that the last ice age transition to a warmer climate did not include massive methane flux from marine sediments or tundra. Instead, rising levels of atmospheric methane were likely from tropical wetlands, according to researchers at Oregon State University.
A study in the Mackenzie Delta found that thawing permafrost releases high amounts of geological methane, contributing significantly to climate change. The research team discovered strong emissions solely where permafrost is discontinuous, primarily from deeper geologic sources.
A new study from Lund University found that four actions have the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel, living car-free, and having smaller families. These actions can save up to 2.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Researchers found that a new type of nitrogen fertilizer, SuperU, can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated crops by up to 53% compared to traditional granular urea. However, the effect depends on crop rotation, with yields remaining unaffected when used in corn production.