Articles tagged with Methane
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Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have determined the importance of mixing in anaerobic digesters, which can produce biogas with manure waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination. The study suggests that increasing mixing intensity is crucial for successful operations.
Researchers identify tropical wetlands as primary methane emitters during glacial times, while forest fires remained constant. The study provides essential information on natural changes in atmospheric methane concentrations prior to human impact.
Researchers investigate anorthosites as a forgotten source of planetary magnetic anomalies, finding strong signatures of the Earth's magnetic field direction in ancient rocks. Another study proposes that gas hydrates in shallow marine sediments are the dominant source of methane in ice core records. A third study explores the feasibili...
Researchers have discovered that paired microbes use a sulfur compound to eliminate methane from the oceans, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. This process is crucial for regulating global methane and carbon cycles.
Researchers isolated the signal of ocean global warming by analyzing historical temperature records. Volcanic loading in Hawaii triggered earthquakes with divergent mechanisms. Climate scientists found anticorrelated precipitation patterns between China and Brazil, suggesting oceanic circulation triggers abrupt climate events.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara study ocean floor seeps and find that only 1% of dissolved methane escapes into the air, with most transported below surface where it's oxidized by microbial activity. This discovery offers a potential solution to mitigating climate change.
A team of scientists has identified a biological process that breaks down crude oil into methane, offering a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to produce natural gas. This breakthrough could increase oil sands production by recovering clean-burning methane directly from deeply buried deposits.
Scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria that consumes methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in the geothermal field Hell's Gate in New Zealand. The 'methanotrophic' bacterium is hardy and can thrive in acidic environments, making it a promising candidate for reducing methane emissions from various sources.
A team of scientists identified lakes as a new likely source of prehistoric methane, which could have contributed up to 87% of the early Holocene methane spike. The findings suggest that large releases from lakes may occur again in the future with global warming.
A study found that cows produce more methane in soil when pastured on winter grasslands, rather than in cowsheds. This process is triggered by the amount and quality of organic material from their excrement and the compaction of the soil by their weight.
Astronomers have found persistent morning drizzle of methane over the western foothills of Titan's major continent, Xanadu. The discovery suggests that moisture-laden clouds pushed upslope by winds condense to form a coastal rain, with the drizzle dissipating after local mid-morning.
A team of astronomers at UC Berkeley reports a nearly global cloud cover and morning drizzle of methane over Titan's western foothills. The drizzle may be caused by processes similar to those on Earth, with moisture-laden clouds pushed upslope by winds condensing to form a coastal rain.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have found that Titan's climate is analogous to Earth's tropics, with methane clouds and a tropical weather system. The moon's slow rotation rate and atmosphere produce an updraft that lifts evaporated methane into clouds, similar to Earth's ITCZ.
A study analyzing sediments from a British bog found that methane emissions increased due to intense global warming around 55 million years ago. The team discovered that carbon isotope values of hopanoids suddenly decreased, indicating a shift in the diet of bacteria from carbon-based compounds to methane.
Engineers have developed ceramic tubes that can filter oxygen out of the air, enabling almost pure carbon dioxide production for reprocessing into useful chemicals. This technology has potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power stations by up to zero.
Researchers have found that deep coal seams can be used for permanent storage of carbon dioxide, displacing methane and potentially reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The study suggests that unmineable coal seams could represent a vast sink for CO2 produced by industry.
A new invention, Gasclam, can continuously monitor underground methane levels, allowing for more efficient brownfield development. This technology could lead to increased construction on previously restricted sites.
A recent study in Nature suggested plants emit methane, but a new study in New Phytologist found methane emissions from plants are negligible and do not contribute to global climate change. The researchers used a novel experiment with heavy carbon isotopes to detect any methane emission, which was undetectable.
Dutch researcher Saikat Mazumder developed a method to estimate CO2 storage in coal using CT scans, improving understanding of crack patterns and gas absorption. Coal was found suitable for filtering out carbon dioxide from waste gases and storing it.
A new satellite method has overcome an obstacle to measuring atmospheric water vapor, providing valuable insights for studying climate and weather. Meanwhile, researchers suggest that irrigation may be causing regional cooling that masks the effects of greenhouse gas warming in certain regions.
Researchers propose an alternative hypothesis for pingo-like features forming underwater: methane hydrate decomposing beneath the seafloor releases gas, squeezing up sediments. Geologic fieldwork and chemical analysis suggest warming seafloor sediment triggers decomposition of buried hydrates.
Archaea are more closely related to humans than previously thought, with a common ancestor living in extreme conditions billions of years ago. Scientists have discovered novel organic compounds and found evidence of ancient archaea fossils, shedding light on their role in global climate change and methane emissions from rice farming.
Researchers at UCI found that atmospheric methane levels have remained nearly flat for seven years, indicating a possible slowdown in global warming threats. Methane pulses were paralleled by increases in ethane, supporting the theory that biomass burning is a significant source of methane.
A German-French research team found specialised microorganisms thriving in the ice-cold Arctic deep-sea, which feed on methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study showed that high flow velocities of mud volcano water reduce the efficiency of natural gas filters by 60%.
Researchers found that northern peatlands released massive amounts of methane gas, contributing to global warming after the ice age. The study suggests a more complex relationship between climate change and natural processes.
A decline in methane emissions from human activities in the 1990s led to slower growth of atmospheric methane levels. However, recent increases in emissions from human sources are offset by reduced wetland emissions, which could mask further rises in methane if drying trends are not reversed.
The Cassini spacecraft has detected a massive ethane cloud surrounding Titan's north pole, contradicting previous assumptions of extensive ethane clouds and surface liquids. The discovery suggests that ethane may be 'snowing' onto the surface, forming methane lakes below.
Researchers estimate that Siberian lakes are releasing five times more methane than previously thought, increasing the present estimate of northern wetland emissions by 10-63%. Methane is being released from thawing permafrost in the form of ancient dead plant material, acting as a 'time bomb' for climate warming.
As permafrost melts in North Siberia, carbon sequestered for 40,000 years is released as methane, exacerbating global warming. Methane emissions from thaw lakes have increased estimates by 10-63%, highlighting the critical role of Northern wetlands in atmospheric methane release.
Researchers analyzed carbon isotopes in Greenland ice core samples to determine the source of a 50% increase in atmospheric methane around 12,000 years ago. They conclude that tropical wetlands and plant production are more likely causes than seafloor methane deposits.
A new analysis of ocean-floor sediments collected near the North Pole reveals that the Arctic was extremely warm, unusually wet, and ice-free during a prehistoric period 55 million years ago. The findings suggest that massive amounts of greenhouse gases were released into the Earth's atmosphere during this time.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute successfully sequenced the genome of a methane-producing Rice Cluster I Archaeon, revealing unique enzymatic mechanisms that enable them to thrive in oxygen-rich environments. This breakthrough could pave the way for developing methods to monitor and potentially reduce methane emissions from floode...
Researchers at Purdue University have successfully grown individual carbon nanotubes vertically on a silicon wafer, paving the way for advanced electronics and sensing technologies. This breakthrough technique enables vertical integration of nanotubes, increasing device density and reducing size.
Recent observations from the Cassini spacecraft and Huygens probe suggest massive methane storms on Titan, creating a 'methane cycle' similar to Earth's water cycle. These storms produce dense clouds of methane and copious precipitation of liquid drops, generating rivers and canals on Titan's surface.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has reported a massive methane blowout from the ocean floor, which may provide answers to historical global warming cycles and current climate changes. The study found that nearly all the methane was transported to the atmosphere during the blowout.
Researchers have discovered a surprising amount of carbon in the gas surrounding a young star, Beta Pictoris. The findings may indicate that asteroids and comets in this system could contain large amounts of organic material, which could have delivered building blocks of life to early Earth.
Scientists predict temperature increases of 1.6-6 degrees Celsius due to natural processes injecting more CO2 into the atmosphere, exceeding current models' 1.5-4.5 degree Celsius predictions.
A new theory suggests that life emerged in environments with unique biochemistry, such as oxygen-free sediment. The microbe Methanosarcina acetivorans produces both methane and acetate, shedding light on early metabolism and the evolution of microbial production of methane.
A study by the University of Chicago found that vegan diets are more energy-efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gases compared to meat-based diets. Reducing food choices like eggs or hamburgers can make a significant impact on reducing emissions, with even small changes resulting in substantial benefits.
A new model of Titan's evolution, developed by the University of Nantes and University of Arizona, proposes that methane-rich ice stores the moon's atmospheric methane supply. The study validates data from ESA's Huygens probe, showing that methane outgassing occurs through cryovolcanic eruptions, producing temporary flows on the surface.
Researchers found a sizeable and active archaeal community in deep sediment layers using energy from breaking down methane molecules. These microbes live on the slow side, requiring less energy to maintain and taking longer to divide than expected.
Researchers examine past warming episodes to understand potential future consequences, suggesting a possible link between human-induced global warming and rapid climate changes. Ancient greenhouse gas emissions may hold clues to mitigating the effects of climate change.
Research suggests that changes in wetland systematics and natural gas emissions during the glacial period may be responsible for elevated methane levels. The study analyzed ice core samples from Greenland, finding no evidence of clathrates releasing methane into the atmosphere.
Scientists have created a general circulation model to study Titan's climate and predict cloud distribution. The model, developed by a European team, successfully explains the formation of several types of ethane and methane clouds on Titan.
A study suggests that plant methane emissions do not contribute to global warming, but rather are a natural part of the greenhouse effect. However, reforestation programs may be slightly impacted by these emissions, with potential benefits outweighing negative effects.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics found that living plants emit significantly more methane than dead plant material, and this process is not hindered by oxygen. The discovery suggests that about 10-30% of global annual methane production comes from plants, with tropical regions being the largest contributors.
A laboratory method has revealed new data on a mysterious 'floppy' molecule, helping explain its properties and overcoming a decades-old challenge in chemistry. The study combined experiments with theoretical predictions and enabled the analysis of cold, concentrated samples of the molecule.
The device uses four sensors to analyze air composition and alert waste management companies to methane gas and odor levels, creating a healthier environment for local communities.
Researchers found ancient microbes in ice cores from Greenland, which could be a preview of what's discovered under Mars' surface. The discovery suggests that methane-generating Archaea might exist on Mars, and state-of-the-art instruments could detect them around meteor craters.
Researchers have found that rivers on Titan, a moon of Saturn, share similar characteristics with those on Earth. The key parameters that differ between the two are gravity acceleration, fluid viscosity, and sediment specific gravity. These similarities suggest that fluvial processes may be more consistent than initially thought.
The new ice core analysis provides insights into Antarctic climate and greenhouse gas concentrations during the most recent warm period, known as Marine Isotope Stage 11. This analog warm period occurred between 420,000 and 400,000 years ago and shares similarities with our current warm period due to similar Earth-Sun configurations.
A recent study published at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual meeting found that targeted antibiotics, specifically rifaximin, resulted in a significant and long-lasting improvement in IBS symptoms. Patients who received the antibiotic experienced a 37% overall improvement in their symptoms, compared to 23% on placebo.
The IODP Expedition 311 has discovered gas hydrate deposits with higher concentrations found in coarse-grained sand layers throughout core samples. The findings will fundamentally change how scientists investigate the impact of gas hydrate deposits, revealing a more complex occurrence than previously predicted.
Researchers have detected methane-producing bacteria in arid desert soils, which is a promising sign for future life detection missions to Mars. The study suggests that methane could be used as a biological signature for certain living organisms.
A worldwide compilation of exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages suggests that prehistoric global warming may have led to the formation of these fossils. The widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon created fossil bonanzas, potentially saving Earth from a heat sterilization event like Venus.
Researchers found a significant drop in biomass burning methane emissions from 1500 to 1600 due to indigenous population decline in South and Central America. Methane levels have increased by nearly 300% since the Industrial Revolution, with human activities accounting for 60% of atmospheric emissions.
A new model suggests that the transition from a hydrogen-rich atmosphere to an oxygen-rich one occurred approximately 2.4 billion years ago, driven by the escape of hydrogen atoms into space. This allowed free oxygen to oxidize the crust and eventually dominate the atmosphere.
A NASA study finds that methane's impact on climate change may be significantly higher than previously thought, potentially accounting for a third of the gas's overall effect. The research suggests that methane emissions play a substantial role in increasing tropospheric ozone levels, which contributes to global warming.
The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research is leading a $14.3 million project to store carbon dioxide in unmineable coal beds, promising to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants and prolong the life of these reservoirs. Field tests will be conducted in three target geologic formations within the southeast region.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers suggests that methane on Mars can be produced from non-living sources, including the mineral olivine. The findings provide a plausible explanation for a warmer and wetter early Mars, with abundant liquid water present on the surface.