Articles tagged with Methane
A new study estimates that methane emissions from coal mines are approximately 50 percent higher than previously calculated. Methane is about 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the planet over a long period.
Cornell University researchers estimated the depth of Kraken Mare on Saturn's moon Titan to be at least 1,000 feet, using data from the Cassini mission. The sea is also massive, covering an area nearly as large as all five Great Lakes combined.
A recent study by McGill University finds that methane emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells in the US and Canada are significantly higher than previously estimated. The research estimates that these wells emit more methane gas than government records suggest, with implications for climate change.
Scientists have discovered that ancient wetlands experienced increased methane cycling during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an ancient global warming event. This finding suggests that rapid global warming can disrupt methane cycling in wetlands, potentially exacerbating climate change.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago developed a new catalyst made from 10 elements that can lower methane combustion temperatures by half. This could lead to a significant reduction in harmful greenhouse gases produced by burning natural gas in households, power turbines, and cars.
A new explanation for Arctic rapid warming proposes that great earthquakes in the Aleutian Arc triggered the phenomenon. These events released methane from permafrost, leading to climate warming.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a nanomaterial cement mixture that can effectively seal leaky natural gas wells, reducing methane emissions. The new cement is more resistant to cracking and can be pumped through narrow spaces, making it suitable for use in active unconventional wells and orphaned abandoned gas wells.
Scientists have discovered a link between the moon's tidal forces and methane release in the Arctic Ocean. The study found that changes in pressure during tidal cycles can increase gas emissions from the seafloor, potentially leading to underestimated gas emissions. High tides tend to reduce emissions, while low tides increase them.
Researchers found that low oxygen levels increase methane concentrations by 15 to 800 times, leading to more global warming. The study suggests that preventing low oxygen concentrations could prevent large methane producers.
Researchers have found that frozen hydrate formations can facilitate the release of methane gas from deep-sea environments. By creating channels and directing flow, hydrate formation enables the gas to persist in its gaseous form for longer periods.
A massive methane release occurred in a deep ocean natural gas reservoir during the Pliocene, potentially affecting atmospheric concentrations. The study estimates that up to 27 teragrams of methane could have reached the atmosphere over 8 months, equivalent to 10% of current global annual emissions.
Researchers discovered that Pluto's mountains are snowcapped with frozen methane, formed at high altitudes where the atmosphere is rich in methane. This finding explains why Pluto's glaciers have craggy ridges unlike Earth's flat ones.
A new study finds that infectious diseases in livestock can lead to increased methane emissions, exacerbating climate change. Ruminant animals infected with intestinal worms or suffering from mastitis release up to 33% and 8% more methane per kilogram of feed or milk produced.
Researchers at West Virginia University are improving methane monitoring networks to prevent explosions in underground mines. The new system will enable proactive responses to rising trends, increasing safety and reducing production delays.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have developed a new method to directly convert methane into commercial products, bypassing multiple energy-intensive stages. The breakthrough uses a molybdenum-zeolite catalyst and identifies two potential activation pathways for carbon-hydrogen bonding.
Global methane concentrations have risen due to increased anthropogenic emissions from the fossil fuel sector and agriculture. Key findings indicate a significant role of methane in climate change, with rapid emission reductions offering substantial benefits.
Researchers found that lake methane emissions peak between 10am and 4pm, suggesting wind plays a significant role. This discovery reduces estimated global methane emissions from northern lakes by 15%.
A new study published by GEOMAR scientists reveals that thousands of tons of methane are leaking from old drill holes on the North Sea floor every year. The research used combined investigations and seismic data to estimate that up to 3700 tonnes of methane could be emitted annually from this area alone.
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.
Researchers have discovered an active methane seep in Antarctica, which provides new insights into the methane cycle and its role in global warming. The study reveals that microbes around the seep are fundamentally different from those found elsewhere in the world's oceans, allowing scientists to better understand how methane cycles work.
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.
Researchers have developed a new method to convert gaseous hydrocarbons into complex molecules at room temperatures and low pressures using UV light and a decatungstate catalyst. This breakthrough simplifies processing, reduces material waste, and decreases pollution.
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.
A recent study has mapped the geological structures underlying massive methane craters in the Barents Sea, shedding new light on their formation and potential risks. The research suggests that deep cracks in the bedrock, which date back 250 million years, control the size and shape of the craters and are the source of the leaking methane.
Researchers from Skoltech studied a 20-meter wide and 20-meter deep crater in the Yamal Peninsula that formed after an explosive release of gas, mostly methane, from the permafrost. They found that the strongly negative δ13C ratio of methane pointed to a biogenic source, while other ratios suggested a deeper thermogenic source.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have successfully controlled the microbiome of cattle, inhibiting their methane production and reducing greenhouse gases. The findings, published in Nature Communications, provide a new approach to mitigating climate change by targeting the animal microbiome.
Researchers predict novel helium-methane compound He3CH4, stable under high pressure, with unique phase transitions upon heating. The compound's van der Waals interactions facilitate efficient heat transport, affecting a planet's interior and surface temperature.
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 University of Alaska Fairbanks-led research team developed a method using satellite images and synthetic aperture radar to determine methane release from northern lakes. The technique found correlations between frozen lake conditions and methane production.
Scientists have discovered three essential roles for water in the catalytic conversion of methane to methanol, which facilitates high selectivity while blocking unwanted side reactions. The findings could speed the development of catalysts that make use of methane escaping from gas and oil wells.
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.
A new aluminum-based metal-organic framework material exhibits high gravimetric and volumetric uptake and delivery of methane and hydrogen. The material outperforms Department of Energy targets for methane storage, with a deliverable capacity of 14% by weight for hydrogen.
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.
Scientists have discovered a unique symbiosis between deep-sea worms and methanotrophic bacteria that harnesses methane as a carbon source. The worms absorb the energy from methane by slowly digesting the bacteria, effectively becoming methanotrophs themselves.
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 TIFR create metal-free catalyst that converts CO2 to methane with excellent productivity and selectivity. The catalyst is recyclable and shows significant increase in production rate after regeneration cycles.
A new computer model explains how gas bubbles form large methane hydrate deposits, advancing understanding of climate change and energy security. The model suggests that gas flowing through subsurface layers can accumulate into concentrated hydrate reservoirs suitable for future energy sources.
A new study measures the intensity of past methane release using sulfur isotopes in foraminifera shells, providing a novel tool for reconstructing geological records. The analysis reveals strong methane fluctuation responses to global warmings and hydrate dissociation.
A team of researchers from UC Santa Barbara has developed a system using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to detect methane leaks, achieving an 87% success rate. This method can differentiate between methane and other hydrocarbons, pinpointing the location of emissions.
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...
Researchers at Waseda University developed a new method to convert carbon dioxide into methane at low temperatures. This process can improve carbon capture and utilization, enabling the production of valuable energy resources.
A study published in Science found that methane emissions from ancient carbon reservoirs are small and do not reach the atmosphere in large quantities. Researchers believe natural buffers such as ocean microbes and bacteria help prevent the release of methane.
A new study suggests that ancient stores of methane in permafrost and beneath Arctic ice have a limited impact on future climate warming. Current activities are the primary source of methane emissions, with natural emissions accounting for nearly 40%.
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...
Researchers aim to create a less expensive and efficient natural gas storage system using super-absorbent materials, enabling smaller tanks for vehicles.
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 are developing methanogenic eco-factories to produce methane and value-added compounds like isoprenoids. The small power plants have unexplored metabolic capabilities that can be harnessed for biotechnological applications.
A new photocatalyst material converts methane into synthesis gas at lower temperatures than traditional thermal reactors, avoiding aggregation and coking issues. This eco-friendly development has significant implications for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy applications.
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.
A research team has found that Cyanobacteria produce relevant amounts of methane in oceans, inland waters, and on land. This discovery refutes the traditional assumption that methane generation occurs only under anoxic conditions by microbes of the domain Archaea.
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 at Skoltech and Heriot-Watt University developed a method to extract methane from permafrost hydrates by injecting flue gases, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Arctic. The new technology also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by forming hydrates that replace original methane hydrates.
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 new MIT study examines the opposing roles of natural gas in the battle against climate change, as a bridge toward a lower-emissions future and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To meet greenhouse gas reduction targets over the coming decade, present methods of controlling methane leakage would have to improve by 30-90 percent.
A team of researchers extracted large air samples from Antarctica's Law Dome site, dating back to the 1870s, to track the history of hydroxyl and its impact on climate models. The analysis aims to produce a concentration curve for carbon-14 monoxide and hydroxyl over the decades, shedding light on past and future climate changes.
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.
A new study from Swansea University has found that well-oxygenated lake waters are a significant source of methane emissions to the atmosphere, challenging previous assessments. The research suggests that these emissions could account for over half of surface methane emissions in lakes larger than one square kilometer.