Articles tagged with 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.
New EPA regulations may reduce methane emissions by 27%, but achieve only 20-50% of expected reductions. Researchers recommend a regional approach to addressing methane leaks and adopting more effective detection technologies.
A new paper investigates an alternative possibility: a rise and fall in the concentration of the hydroxyl radical, which destroys methane in the atmosphere. The team's findings suggest that emissions may have risen more gradually over the last couple of decades.
A new study suggests that hydroxyl radicals, a key component of the atmosphere, are behind unexplained recent increases in methane levels. Fluctuations in hydroxyl concentrations correlate strongly with fluctuations in methane, and changes in hydroxyl availability govern the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
Researchers conclude that warming climate causes gas hydrate breakdown, but emissions are small and mostly remain in undersea sediments. The study challenges the popular perception of catastrophic methane releases from hydrates.
A new study estimates global methane emissions from oil and gas systems to be double previous estimates, with the Russian oil industry being a major contributor. The study found that methane recovery systems have helped reduce emissions since the 1990s, but increasing shale gas production has offset these gains.
A CU Boulder team, in collaboration with NIST and UC Davis, will track methane leaks from natural gas storage facilities using a novel laser system. The ground-based system measures changes in methane concentrations down to one part-per-billion, while light aircraft flights provide estimates of total emissions.
A report by PSE Healthy Energy projects that new Marcellus development will nearly double natural gas production and increase greenhouse gas emissions by tripling. The report forecasts thousands of new natural gas wells, which will drive a second drilling boom in Pennsylvania.
A new study finds that methane emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area are about 1.8 times higher than estimated, with biological sources accounting for 82% and fossil fuel sources for 17%. The research highlights the importance of reducing methane levels to meet California's greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Researchers find that methane and other short-lived greenhouse gases impact sea levels for hundreds of years after being cleared from the atmosphere, with some effects even more long-lasting. The study highlights the importance of understanding climate change duration and its consequences for coastal regions.
Researchers measured significant spring pulses of greenhouse gases in the Arctic during thaw, revealing that the region may not be as effective at absorbing CO2 as previously believed. The study's findings suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense emissions, which could offset the Arctic's role as a carbon sink.
Global methane concentrations have grown faster than at any point in the past two decades, posing a significant threat to climate change mitigation efforts. The rapid increase in methane emissions is attributed primarily to agricultural sources, particularly rice paddies and cattle pastures.
Researchers have precisely dated the evolution of a brittle fault in western Norway, providing insights into methane release from the ocean floor. The study reveals that active methane leakage from the sea floor occurs episodically and frequently, with some seeps activating annually.
A new study reveals that a small number of super-emitting natural gas wells are responsible for more than half of US methane emissions. The findings suggest that focusing on finding and fixing the biggest leaks can significantly reduce emissions.
A new Department of Energy-funded project will measure emissions from 80 compressor stations nationwide and more than 300 individual units. The study aims to develop a national model for methane emissions and inform future versions of the EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
A new method to quantify methane emissions from livestock manure has been proposed, addressing the significant problem of measuring greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The approach uses laboratory measurements and a simple model to calculate daily emissions and evaluate the effects of changes in management or treatment.
A new technique detects methane leaks in real time, informing strategies to meet federal limits on emissions from the oil and gas industry. The approach identified 250 methane plumes emanating from various sources, including natural gas processing facilities and pipeline leaks.
Researchers analyzed nearly three decades of air samples from Alaska's North Slope and found little change in long-term methane emissions. The findings suggest that processes regulating methane emissions need more study, as the Arctic warms faster than other regions.
Research from UiT The Arctic University of Norway suggests that methane emissions from the seabed in the Arctic Ocean do not significantly affect the atmosphere. Scientists performed measurements near the seabed, in the ocean and atmosphere, to determine if methane is being released into the air.
A recent study by Boston University researchers found that almost a sixth of gas leaks in metropolitan Boston are potentially explosive and can pose significant safety risks. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, emphasizes the need for better detection methods to prioritize leak repairs.
Researchers at Empa combined direct measurements with a transport model to validate statistics on greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland. The study confirms estimated annual emission of approximately 200,000 tonnes of methane, with livestock farming contributing 70% of emissions.
A recent study by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology reveals a significant correlation between oil and natural gas production in the USA and an increase in atmospheric methane concentrations. The research suggests that thermogenic methane from the oil and gas industry contributes to at least 40% of the global increase in methane concent...
Researchers found that human activities have transformed the land biosphere into a contributor to climate change by overwhelming its ability to soak up carbon dioxide. This discovery reverses conventional thinking on human impacts on terrestrial carbon uptake.
Researchers found that replacing coal-fired power plants with natural gas can reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent. Replacing old oil-burning furnaces for residential heating also yields emissions savings of up to 48 percent.
A recent study published in Science reveals that the Aliso Canyon natural gas well blowout released over 100,000 tons of methane, doubling the rate of emissions from the entire Los Angeles basin. The disaster created the largest known human-caused point source of methane in the US.
A new statistical technique confirms that man-made CO2 and methane emissions cause global warming, particularly in densely populated regions. The study provides complementary support to model-based studies and highlights the need for further research on regional climate dynamics.
A new study reveals that small ponds globally produce an outsized share of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane. These tiny bodies of water, less than a quarter acre in size, account for significant emissions due to high concentrations of terrestrial carbon.
Researchers found that northern lakes and ponds emit methane equivalent to two-thirds of all natural methane sources in the region, highlighting the urgency of reducing human-induced climate change
A new study finds that Arctic tundra releases at least as much methane during its cold season as it does during summer, challenging current climate change models. The research team found that up to half of annual methane emissions occur in the cold months, with drier tundra sites emitting more methane than wetland sites.
Researchers found that freshwater rivers and streams pump about 10 times more methane into the atmosphere than previously estimated, driven by human activity in agricultural and urban watersheds. This discovery highlights the importance of improving stream health in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have created a climate-friendly rice variety that reduces methane emissions by up to 99% compared to traditional rice. The new rice type grows in a way that minimizes the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and also increases biomass, leading to more food.
Researchers found that kangaroos emit around the same amount of methane as horses or ostriches per body size, but higher when food intake is increased. The study suggests that differences in methane production are more related to bacterial exposure conditions than specific bacteria types.
A new study finds that reducing short-lived pollutants like methane and aerosols can substantially improve air quality while also mitigating climate change. The measures, which target the oil and gas industry, could lower global temperatures by up to 0.22°C by 2050 and reduce life expectancy losses due to air pollution.
Methane emissions from Arctic tundra increase when sea ice melts due to altered ocean temperatures and microbial activity. The loss of sea ice has a significant impact on the Arctic climate, leading to higher temperatures and increased methane production.
A new feed supplement has been shown to reduce dairy cow methane emissions by 30% without affecting feed intake, fiber digestibility, or milk production. This could have significant implications for global climate change, as animal agriculture is a major source of methane emissions.
New findings suggest that some natural gas wells, compressor stations, and processing plants in the Barnett Shale leak far more methane than previously estimated, with some sites emitting up to 47.8% of their produced gas. Human error and lack of maintenance are identified as primary causes of these emissions.
A new research from the University of Georgia identifies an unexpected process regulating methane emissions from freshwater environments. High rates of anaerobic methane oxidation substantially reduce atmospheric emissions of methane from freshwater wetlands.
Researchers found a 36-70% reduction in methane emissions from local natural gas distribution systems, largely due to upgrades and regulatory changes. The study, led by Washington State University, suggests that the industry's contribution to US greenhouse gas emissions is lower than previously estimated.
Researchers developed new techniques to locate, quantify and attribute sources of leaked methane emissions from oil and gas operations. They used space-based observations to identify high methane releases in the US, challenging previous estimates of low leakage rates.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz found that methane-rich groundwater contributes to lake emissions, which can exacerbate global warming. The study suggests that future warming in the Arctic could expand the active layer and increase methane transport to lakes.
A Harvard-led study reveals that up to 2.7% of the gas delivered to Boston households escapes into the atmosphere, with emissions accounting for 60-100% of regional methane release depending on the season. The findings highlight the need for innovative policymaking to address methane loss from natural gas infrastructure.
A study found that beaver populations have grown dramatically, damming up 42,000 square kilometres of aquatic pond areas and increasing methane emissions by 15 percent each year
Researchers found that a small group of pneumatic devices and wells with frequent liquid unloadings are responsible for the vast majority of methane emissions from natural gas production sites. The study confirms regional differences in methane emission levels, with highest emissions in the Gulf Coast and lowest in the Rocky Mountains.
A study estimated embodied methane and nitrous oxide emissions in beef, chicken, and pork from livestock to countries where they are consumed. The researchers found a 19% increase in 'hidden' emissions over the past 20 years, with Russia receiving most of its emissions from Brazil and Argentina.
Researchers found that restored wetlands act as net sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide, but are large sources of methane emissions. The study's results suggest that restoring drained agricultural land-use types can help reverse subsidence and capture carbon, making it a promising approach to mitigate climate change.
A new study by the University of Michigan and NASA reveals that the Four Corners region in the US Southwest has the largest methane signal seen from space, with over half a teragram emitted annually. The research uses satellite data to identify the source of the emissions, which are likely caused by infrastructure and coalbed methane.
A recent study found that the microbiota in livestock, particularly ruminants, play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions. The research identified two distinct groups of methanogens responsible for high and low methane emissions in sheep. The findings suggest new targets for mitigating methane emissions at the microbiome level.
Oil and gas operations in Colorado's Front Range leaked nearly three times as much methane, a greenhouse gas, as predicted based on inventory estimates. The new study found seven times as much benzene, a regulated air toxic, and about twice as high emissions of other chemicals that contribute to summertime ozone pollution.
A new study by University of Guelph researcher Prof. Merritt Turetsky and her team found that wetlands are a significant source of methane emissions, which could contribute to global warming. The study analyzed almost 20,000 field data measurements from across arctic, temperate, and tropical regions and suggests that northern wetlands ...
Researchers used airborne laboratory to measure methane gas above shale gas wells during drilling phase, finding high-emitting wells contributing large portion of total emissions. This discovery could lead to development new methods inventory methane emissions and better define environmental impacts of shale gas development.
New research shows methane emissions from microorganisms in lake sediment and freshwater wetlands will increase several times as temperatures rise, outpacing CO2 emissions. The study provides a measurement scientists can use to model methane's contribution to climate change.
A study by two students at Linköping University found that aquatic environments in India emit 42% of expected natural carbon dioxide equivalents, highlighting the importance of reducing fossil carbon emissions. Methane accounts for 71% of these emissions, providing a potential pathway to reduction through water pollution mitigation.
A recent study published in Science reveals that methane emissions from natural gas systems can have a significant impact on the climate benefits of switching to natural gas. The research suggests that more efforts should be made to reduce methane leaks and improve measurement tools for policy-making. Additionally, the study identifies...
A new analysis confirms the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) underestimation of US methane emissions from natural gas systems. The study found that even small leaks from the system are important due to methane's potency as a greenhouse gas.