Articles tagged with Methane
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.
Methane seeps, natural gas leaks in the sea floor, host unique microbial communities distinct from other seafloor ecosystems. These microbes control methane emissions, preventing gas from reaching the atmosphere.
A team of scientists suggests that hydrothermal processes at the rock-water boundary could produce methane in Enceladus' ocean. Analyzing Cassini data, they propose two possible explanations for the moon's methane abundance: one involving hydrothermal activity and another based on ice formation/melting cycles.
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.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery patients with high methane and hydrogen levels in their breath had a lower percentage weight loss compared to others. The study suggests that an overgrowth of certain gut microbes may alter metabolism, making it harder to lose weight after surgery.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in detecting methane using TILDAS, which provides details on the environment in which methane-producing microbes thrive and helps identify the temperature at which methane forms.
A new instrument can rapidly analyze samples to determine how methane was formed, differentiating between microbial and thermogenic origins. The technique uses isotope ratios to identify clumpiness in methane molecules, revealing slower rates of production for cow-gut methane.
A recent study found that individuals with high concentrations of methanobrevibacter smithii in their gut may experience lower weight loss after bariatric surgery. Researchers suggest that targeting this organism through dietary interventions or therapeutic drugs could improve post-surgical outcomes.
The study analyzed microbial activities in Alaskan soils, revealing diverse species and genes involved in degrading organic carbon and producing greenhouse gases. Researchers also found evidence of previously undescribed microbes and insights into microbial survival strategies in permafrost.
A study reveals new species of microbes in permafrost and active layer, hinting at life strategies under subzero temperatures. The researchers used 'omics' tools to understand how microbes survive and thrive in frozen conditions.
Researchers at Cornell University have modeled a methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce like life on Earth. The theorized cell membrane, called an azotosome, is composed of small organic nitrogen compounds and shows stability and flexibility similar to Earth's phospholipid membranes.
The Curiosity robot has confirmed an episodic increase in methane concentration in Mars' atmosphere, which may indicate the presence of biological activity. The detection is based on detailed analysis of data collected during 605 Martian days and is attributed to the tunable laser spectrometer in the SAM instrument.
A NASA scientist is developing a new laser instrument sensitive to methane, another potent greenhouse gas. The Methane Sounder will provide high-resolution, accurate, and around-the-clock global measurements, which could help understand current trends and mitigate its effects.
A team of scientists has found evidence of methane seepage from the Arctic seabed dating back 2.7 million years, tied to tectonic plate movement and potentially influenced by past temperature fluctuations. The study suggests that the release of methane gas hydrates in this region may have contributed to climate change.
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 five-year, $30 million NASA mission will measure atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases in the eastern United States. The study aims to improve detection and quantification of carbon sources and sinks using airborne, satellite, and ground-based observations.
Scientists have found significant methane releases at depths of 20-50 meters off the West Yamal Peninsula in Siberia. The findings suggest a smaller, more fragile seal than previously thought, and a continuous thawing process driven by geothermal heat flux.
Researchers at Rice University have identified 48 metal organic frameworks that outperform current materials in storing compressed natural gas. The discovery could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly natural gas cars with lighter, more compact tanks.
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 have created the first empty clathrate of a new form of ice, known as Ice XVI, which has significant implications for understanding its physical chemistry. The discovery may lead to improved methods for transporting and storing energy, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that warmer ocean water is melting frozen methane deposits on the seafloor, releasing massive amounts of methane into the environment. The study estimates that up to 4 million metric tons of methane are released annually off the coast of Washington.
Researchers at Princeton University found that many abandoned oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania leak substantial quantities of methane. The study suggests that these 'super-emitting' wells could be a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, potentially accounting for up to 10% of methane from human activities in the state.
Researchers found that natural gas power plants are more efficient than coal plants, producing less warming in the long term. However, significant methane leakage can offset this benefit, making them comparable to coal plants in terms of climate impact. To mitigate this, carbon capture and storage methods may be necessary.
A team of researchers from the University of Florida has developed a process to convert human waste into rocket fuel, producing 290 liters of methane per crew per day. This anaerobic digester process can also produce non-potable water and hydrogen, offering a sustainable solution for space missions and potentially on Earth.
Scientists have discovered an unexpected high-altitude methane ice cloud on Saturn's moon Titan, similar to those found near Earth's poles. The cloud formed in the stratosphere, well above cruising altitude, due to temperature differences between latitudes, allowing methane ice to condense and form.
A research team led by UT Austin is studying frozen methane under the Gulf of Mexico, a substance with huge potential to increase the world's energy supply. The four-year project will acquire intact samples to better understand how to produce these deposits and unlock their enormous energy resources.
A University of Cincinnati research project is tracking methane levels in private wells and springs before, during and after fracking in the Utica Shale region. The study's findings indicate that organic matter is the primary source of methane in groundwater wells, with relatively low levels detected.
Researchers have found that carbonate rocks contain vast amounts of active microbes that take up methane, expanding our understanding of the Earth's methane process. The discovery could significantly impact our understanding of greenhouse gas accumulation and its role in 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 study by researchers from five universities found that contamination in drinking water wells in Pennsylvania and Texas stems from well-integrity problems such as poor casing and cementing. The analysis used noble gas and hydrocarbon tracers to identify the source of fugitive methane and determine if it is natural or not.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that methane contamination in groundwater wells is mostly caused by faulty cement and casing, not drilling or fracking. Improved well construction standards may help prevent future leaks.
Simulations by NASA researchers found that atmospheric gases like ozone, oxygen, and methane can be produced non-biologically, challenging the detection of life. However, combinations of these gases remain strong biosignatures, suggesting their presence is likely linked to biological activity.
Research casts doubt on methane's climate-friendliness, despite its potential for burning cleaner than coal. Methane emissions from oil and gas operations are estimated to be significant, with varying levels of release into the atmosphere.
A new study reveals that certain strains of SAR11 can generate methane as a byproduct of breaking down methylphosphonic acid, producing phosphorus. This discovery explains the 'marine methane paradox' and provides an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the Earth's methane cycle.
A comprehensive study by University of Chicago climatologist Raymond Pierrehumbert finds that reducing CO2 emissions is essential for mitigating climate change. The study shows that efforts to reduce other, shorter-lived greenhouse gases are insufficient and may even distract from the urgent need to address CO2 emissions.
Researchers found evidence of seasonal cycles on Saturn's moon Titan, with temperature and sunlight driving surface changes. The discovery supports the idea that liquid methane might flow and evaporate in response to changing exposure to sunlight.
A Caltech-led team has developed a new technique that can determine the temperature at which natural methane samples formed. This method uses clumped isotopes to provide an independent way to say the environment where methane was formed, helping to answer questions about its formation, storage, and chemical pathways.
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.
Researchers have created a new spectrum for 'hot' methane that can be used to detect the molecule at temperatures above Earth's, potentially identifying signs of extraterrestrial life. The model has been tested and verified by reproducing the way in which methane absorbs light on failed stars.
Researchers from the University of Georgia questioned the assumption that naturally-occurring microbes can quickly consume methane following a major oil spill. The study found that bacteria were unable to effectively consume the potent greenhouse gas due to environmental constraints.
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.
New research from UEA shows a single bacterial strain can grow on both methane and propane in natural gas, reducing pollution. This finding could help mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas seeps and human activities.
Researchers find reversible microbial redox cycling in humic substances, which store electrons and prevent methane release. Climate change disruption could lead to vicious cycle of worsening greenhouse effect.
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.
Researchers found that camels release less methane in absolute terms than cows and sheep of comparable body size. However, when adjusted for feed conversion, methane production is similar between the two groups. This suggests that camels' lower metabolism could explain their ability to thrive in food-scarce environments.
A new study found that permafrost thawing leads to increased release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere via plants. The research suggests that this could accelerate global warming trends by up to five times more carbon in the atmosphere.
A team of MIT researchers suggests that methane-producing archaea, specifically Methanosarcina, were responsible for the largest mass extinction in Earth's history. The microbe's explosive growth was fueled by a sudden increase in nickel, emitted by massive volcanic eruptions.
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.
New research suggests that rising temperatures will increase methane fluxes from freshwater ecosystems, a key component of global methane emissions. This finding highlights the importance of understanding biological methane fluxes to predict the response of this component to global warming.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have devised a new method to convert major components of natural gas into useable fuels and chemicals at lower temperatures. This could lead to cheaper energy and materials with lower emissions.
Researchers discovered that peat soils can act like gigantic batteries, using humic substances to accept electrons under anoxic conditions. When oxygen enters, these substances release electrons to oxygen, thereby regenerating their capacity to accept electrons and suppressing methane formation.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that palm oil wastewater is a significant source of heat-trapping methane in the atmosphere. Capturing this methane could provide a renewable energy solution, potentially meeting a quarter of Malaysia's electricity needs.
Scientists at NPL have created a synthetic air reference standard to measure carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, providing a trusted base unit for global monitoring. This innovation addresses the growing demand for standards comparable to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) scale.
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.
A team of researchers discovered that ancient microbes used a process similar to photosynthesis to produce methane 2.5 billion years ago, long before oxygen became available. This finding may have implications for understanding climate change, agriculture, and human health.
Rice University laser scientists have developed a highly sensitive portable sensor to test the air for nitrous oxide and methane. The device uses a thumbnail-sized quantum cascade laser and tuning forks, and can detect trace amounts of these greenhouse gases in as little as a second.
Scientists at NREL are working on a biological process to convert methane from fracking into liquid diesel fuel, which could lower dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses microbes that can digest methane and produce lipids, the precursor to fuel.
Researchers from Duke University and Boston University found over 5,900 natural gas leaks under Washington, D.C., with concentrations as high as 500,000 parts per million. The leaks pose explosion risks and release high levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Researchers have mapped nearly 6,000 pipeline leaks in Washington, D.C., with high concentrations found at 19 sites, including some manholes with methane levels up to 500,000 parts per million. The study highlights the need for financial incentives and targeted programs to reduce leaks and replace old cast-iron pipes.