Articles tagged with Methane
Researchers found that global levels of hydroxyl radical, a critical player in atmospheric chemistry, are stable and vary by only a few percent every year. This discovery improves confidence in projecting the future of Earth's atmosphere and reduces concerns about human-caused or natural changes.
A new study suggests that freshwater methane emissions impact the global balance of greenhouse gases, with a potential 25% change in net absorption rates. The research highlights the importance of including inland waters in carbon budgets, as they are more active in carbon processing than seas or land surfaces.
Scientists report that household sewage has nearly 20% more energy potential than previously estimated, offering a new avenue for extracting methane, hydrogen, and other fuels from wastewater. The discovery could transform treatment facilities into energy sources, reducing their energy drain.
Researchers have successfully created a metal-methane hybrid molecule by inserting metal atoms into methane gas molecules, potentially advancing industrial hydrocarbon chemistry. This discovery could lead to the creation of more complex and valuable products from simple compounds like methane.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new metal complex that can convert methane into ethane, a crucial step towards building longer-chain hydrocarbons as alternative energy sources. This breakthrough could pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable method of producing fuels from greenhouse gases.
Researchers study how changing winds in the Southern Hemisphere affect ocean carbon storage and atmospheric carbon dioxide. A new study finds large methane releases from ocean sediments during glacial periods could have impacted ocean chemistry and contributed to climate changes.
Researchers propose new techniques for analyzing methane hydrate structures, finding signs of life in iron-oxide-rich spheres and pipes near Escalante, Utah. The study also explores the impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the middle Yangtze, as well as a ~300-million-year-old bivalve shell.
Researchers found microbes in the Gulf of Mexico's seafloor brine pools consume methane 10-100 times faster than previously realized. High concentrations of methane are present in these pools, which are then consumed by microbes, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas released.
The discovery of well-preserved ammonites at cold methane seeps in the ancient seaway that covered North America during the Cretaceous Period has provided new insights into their paleobiology. These organisms thrived in these environments, consumed small prey, and often survived predation attempts.
A team of scientists led by David Valentine and John Kessler studied the behavior of methane and other natural gases in the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. They found that propane and ethane were responsible for most of the respiration and oxygen loss observed in deep plumes, with butane accounting for the remainder.
A Texas A&M University oceanographer is studying the impact of subsurface hydrocarbons near the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research aims to understand the fate of the oil, its effects on marine life, and the role of methane in the global carbon cycle.
Scientists have discovered a substance called 'dry water' that can absorb and store carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases. This powder has the potential to reduce global warming by providing an alternative storage material for these gases.
Scientists simulate oil and methane plumes, predicting locally significant but regionally confined dead zones in the northern Gulf. The study suggests oxygen levels will drop too low to support most life forms, affecting marine ecosystems.
The project focuses on advancing ECBM recovery and providing a pathway to near zero emissions technology from coal-fired power. ECBM involves injecting CO2 into coal seams to displace methane, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by storing CO2 underground.
A team of scientists from the University of Missouri reviewed EPA greenhouse gas emission estimates for agricultural anaerobic lagoons, finding errors and potential underestimates by up to 65%. The study suggests that some manure storage facilities may exceed current reporting requirements.
Researchers find that natural methane sources from wetlands in high northern latitudes caused a significant increase in atmospheric methane concentration 40,000 years ago. This contradicts the clathrate gun hypothesis and suggests that human activities are not responsible for current climate change.
A team of researchers has discovered methane-eating bacteria that can thrive in extremely salty and cold environments, similar to those found on Mars. The microbes, which survive by eating methane and breathing sulfate instead of oxygen, have implications for the possibility of life existing on the Red Planet.
A new study by CU-Boulder researchers suggests that the thick organic haze surrounding early Earth may have protected it from damaging ultraviolet radiation. The haze, composed of methane and nitrogen chemical byproducts, would have blocked UV light but allowed visible light to reach the surface. This finding has significant implicatio...
A Texas A&M University oceanographer is leading a team to investigate the massive amounts of methane in the Gulf oil spill. The research aims to understand how this potent greenhouse gas affects oxygen levels and potentially exacerbates 'dead zones.'
A study by Cedars-Sinai researchers has found a significant link between methane production and obesity, with obese patients testing positive for methane on their breath having a significantly higher body mass index. The presence of methane-producing bacteria in the gut may play a role in obesity.
A new study published by the University of Edinburgh confirms that plant leaves account for less than 1% of global methane emissions, contradicting previous claims. The research suggests that trees can effectively offset greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. This could trigger abrupt climate warming due to methane's potent greenhouse gas properties.
A research team led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is leaking large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. The release of methane from this region could trigger abrupt climate warming due to its potency as a greenhouse gas.
Researchers found evidence of fog at Titan's south pole, using Cassini data to isolate clouds and prove an active methane hydrological cycle. The discovery provides insight into Titan's atmosphere and its potential for liquid methane and ethane on the surface.
Scientists have ruled out meteorites as a source of methane on Mars, raising hopes that the gas might be generated by life on the red planet. Methane levels are replenished by an unknown source, with two plausible theories remaining: microorganisms producing methane as a by-product or reactions between volcanic rock and water.
The discovery of massive methane pits in the Hudson Canyon has significant implications for the region's marine ecosystem. The pits, found by Rutgers University and NOAA researchers using a robotic underwater vehicle, are believed to be related to the dissolution of gas hydrates and could support a diverse range of fish species.
Researchers suggest that the planet's oblong orbit exposes different areas of Titan to varying amounts of sunlight, affecting precipitation and evaporation cycles. This leads to an uneven distribution of lakes in the northern and southern polar regions.
Scientists are concerned about the buildup of carbon dioxide and methane gas in Lake Kivu, which could lead to a catastrophic explosion. The lake's unique combination of geological features and lack of circulation makes it vulnerable to disturbances, posing a threat to the approximately 2 million people living nearby.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute create a novel catalyst that efficiently converts methane to methanol, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough could help address global natural gas shortages and support the chemical industry.
Certain gases have a significantly more powerful warming impact when linked with aerosols, amplifying their effect. Methane and carbon monoxide can reduce sulfate aerosol production, leading to increased warming.
Scientists at the University of Washington and North Carolina have made a breakthrough in converting methane to methanol, a liquid that can be transported easily. This discovery could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly production of chemicals and fuels.
A new method using laser light can convert methane into methanol, producing a low-cost, clean fuel that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process also yields hydrogen for fuel cells and other industrial applications.
A new study estimates that Arctic lands and oceans are responsible for up to 25 percent of the global net sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The Arctic's potential to alter Earth's climate is significant, as current predictions suggest it could be diminished or reversed under global warming, potentially accelerating climate change.
The Arctic has been a carbon sink since the last Ice Age, but rapid climate change could eliminate it. Warmer temperatures and permafrost thawing could release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.
Scientists believe methane trapped under ocean may be escaping faster than previously thought through sea floor vents. The release could have significant implications for understanding the Earth's carbon cycle and global warming.
University of Calgary scientists discovered that stressed crops emit more methane, a potent greenhouse gas 23 times more effective than carbon dioxide. Climate change factors such as temperature, drought, and UV-B radiation enhance methane emissions from six Canadian crops.
A study found that Arctic ocean warming triggers methane release from seabed sediments, contributing to climate change. The National Oceanography Centre and researchers detected over 250 plumes of bubbles rising from the West Spitsbergen continental margin.
Recent methane discoveries on Mars suggest either biological or geological activity, with scientists investigating its disappearance after initial detection in 2003. The source of the methane remains unknown, but theories include surface trapping and chemical reactions.
Researchers found ethane and heavier hydrocarbons can be synthesized in the deep Earth, suggesting a new possible source of oil and gas. The discovery suggests that saturated hydrocarbons exist deeper in the Earth without requiring organic matter.
Researchers found that certain microorganisms can convert methane to carbon dioxide using iron and manganese oxides as electron acceptors. This process is crucial for the Earth's carbon cycle and may have played a significant role in reducing methane levels on early Earth.
Researchers have discovered that the methane-producing molecule deazaflavin is also involved in DNA repair processes in eukaryotes. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that deazaflavin is unique to methanogenic bacteria, and has significant implications for our understanding of cellular metabolism and DNA repair.
Researchers found that nickel isotopic fractionation may be a useful biomarker for identifying methanogenic microbes on the early Earth. The presence of specific isotopic fractions indicates biological processes, such as microbial assimilation or uptake of metals.
Beef farmers can now reduce their cattle's methane gas production by up to 25%, according to a new formula developed by researchers. This reduction is expected to significantly improve environmental stewardship on farms, with methane accounting for 72% of Canada's total cattle emissions.
A literature review reveals that landfill cover soils oxidize more methane than previously recommended guidelines suggest. The overall mean fraction oxidized was 36%, with a standard error of 6%, indicating that the actual oxidation rate is likely higher than current default values.
A 11,600-year-old methane spike in ancient Greenland ice suggests wetlands as the primary source, offering relief from oceanic clathrate concerns. Methane emissions from human activities remain a significant concern, with potential to release large amounts of greenhouse gas.
Researchers confirm that major methane increases near the end of the last Ice Age were due to wetland growth and associated methane releases, not sudden bursts of seafloor methane. The study's findings provide a significant relief as they largely rule out massive seafloor hydrate deposits as a source of methane.
New research reveals that methane clathrate stores beneath the ocean and in permafrost are more stable than previously thought, reducing concerns over climate change. A 10% release of methane would have an equivalent impact on global warming as a ten-fold increase in carbon dioxide concentration.
Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.
A new theory proposes that a sharp decrease in nickel-rich volcanism led to the decline of methanogen bacteria, causing oxygen levels to rise. The discovery suggests approximately 2.4 billion years ago was when the planet became oxygenated, allowing complex life forms to evolve.
A team of Penn State engineers discovered that microbes can directly convert carbon dioxide and water to methane using electricity, producing a self-sustaining process. This breakthrough could lead to a portable energy source with a low carbon footprint if powered by renewable energy.
Researchers at University College Dublin found that adding fish oil to the diet of cattle reduced methane emissions by affecting the gut bacteria. This discovery offers a targeted approach to mitigating methane's potent greenhouse gas effects.
Researchers report increasing promise for natural gas hydrates, frozen form of natural gas, as abundant source of clean, sustainable energy. Gas hydrates could supplement traditional energy sources linked to global warming, providing bridge to cleaner fuel sources like hydrogen and solar energy.
Researchers have developed a synthetic wood substitute made from a new biodegradable plastic that could replace petrochemical plastics in building materials and disposable water bottles. The material is durable, recyclable and can be produced faster than wood or trees.
Researchers at Penn State developed a solar-powered process converting carbon dioxide to methane using titania nanotubes, achieving a 20-times higher yield than previous attempts. The method uses dual catalysts coated on the nanotubes, resulting in significant hydrocarbon production.
Researchers have created a new class of porous materials that effectively separate hydrogen from complex gas mixtures. The materials exhibit superior performance in separating hydrogen from carbon dioxide and methane, increasing the efficiency of producing pure hydrogen.
Scientists discovered 70-million-year-old tubular escape hatches in a formation near Denver, Colorado, which were previously identified as fossilized tubeworms. The findings reveal the potential for methane gas to seep out of geologic seals, impacting petroleum reservoirs and CO2 injection.
A team of NASA and university scientists has detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, indicating the planet may be biologically active. The discovery was made using spectrometers at the Infrared Telescope Facility and W.M. Keck telescope, revealing three spectral features that are a definitive signature of methane.
New report reveals rapid changes at Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, exceeding previous projections for sea level rise. Subtropical areas like the American West are likely to become more arid due to global warming, increasing the likelihood of severe droughts.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have found a strong link between Arctic land-surface temperatures and increased tundra greenness. The study used satellite data and ground-based studies to examine trends in sea ice, land temperature, and vegetation using a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index.
Scientists investigate oil spray as a mitigation technique for reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions from pig barns. The study found that oil spray techniques reduced average emissions by 20% for methane and 19% for carbon dioxide.