Articles tagged with Methane
A new study finds that abrupt thawing of permafrost beneath thermokarst lakes can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon, potentially doubling the release from terrestrial landscapes by the 2050s. This could lead to a significant feedback effect on climate change.
A NASA team, led by Emily Wilson, is launching a low-Earth-orbiting CubeSat mission called Mini-Carb to measure atmospheric greenhouse gases. The mini-LHR instrument, made of commercial parts, can simultaneously measure carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane in the atmosphere's limb.
A research team led by Professor Su-Il In has developed high-efficiency photocatalysts that can selectively convert carbon dioxide into methane or ethane. The catalysts have shown promising results, with conversion rates higher than conventional reduced titanium dioxide photocatalysts.
Researchers report significant declines in forest soils' methane uptake, attributed to increased precipitation and hydrological flux. A literature analysis reveals a 77% global average decrease in methane uptake from 1988 to 2015.
A new study finds that forest soils have been overestimated as methane sinks by up to 50% worldwide. Methane uptake by forest soils has declined globally, especially in regions with increasing precipitation.
Researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center found that wetter soil decreases methane gas absorption by 53-89 percent, leading to a positive feedback loop between global warming and climate change. This study highlights the significant impact of reduced methane uptake on global warming and the need for further research.
A new understanding of thawing permafrost in Sweden could improve predictions and guide efforts to slow climate damage. Scientists have identified more than 1,500 microbial genomes and 1,900 new viral populations, shedding light on the role of microbes in methane production.
Researchers recorded methane bubbles from seafloor off Oregon coast using hydrophone, estimating bubble size and frequency related to methane content. The study aims to use sound to estimate volume and rate of methane gas exiting seafloor fields.
New research has uncovered methane-producing microbial communities in fracking wells, which could have implications for energy companies and human health. The study also suggests parallels between these microbes and those found in the human gut and soil.
A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder estimates US oil and gas methane emissions are 60% higher than previously thought, with most emissions coming from leaks and equipment malfunctions. The study finds that repairing these leaks could reduce emissions by an estimated $2 billion annually.
Methane levels in groundwater were found to be mostly unaffected by hydraulic fracturing operations, with concentrations rarely exceeding regulatory action levels. Groundwater salinity and isotopic data suggest natural shifts in aquifer recharge may have contributed to increased methane concentrations.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms in the sediment are extremely active and produce about 90% of the methane released from mud volcanoes. The study found that chemical processes play a smaller role in methane production, indicating that mud volcanoes have a significant impact on the global methane cycle.
A new study of groundwater in Bradford County shows improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development. Researchers used data-mining techniques to find rare instances of possible gas contamination near seven out of 1,385 shale wells.
A new study found that mango consumption lowered systolic blood pressure and reduced breath methane levels in healthy postmenopausal women. The researchers believe the polyphenols in mangos may be responsible for these favorable effects.
The Curiosity rover has discovered a seasonal cycle in Martian methane levels, suggesting it may be trapped in water-based crystals. Additionally, the rover has detected ancient organic matter, including thiophene and methanethiol, which are reminiscent of Earth's organic-rich sedimentary rock.
Scientists have discovered dunes made of solid methane on Pluto, defying expectations due to the dwarf planet's thin atmosphere. The findings were made possible by New Horizons' detailed images and modeling, which suggest that wind can create these unique landforms through a process involving sublimation.
Researchers discovered Pluto's dunes on the boundary of a major mountain range, likely formed by methane ice grain sublimation and transported by moderate winds. The unique features suggest recent formation within the last 500,000 years.
Researchers from OSU and NOAA have mapped over 1,000 underwater methane seep sites off the Oregon coast, finding that much of the methane is solidified as hydrates beneath 500 meters. The discovery raises concerns about environmental impact and potential energy sources.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati studied methane concentrations in groundwater and found no relationship with proximity to natural gas wells. In most cases, methane in drinking water was attributed to underground coal or biological production.
A new study discovered a 'feedback loop' in freshwater lakes where organic matter from plants suppresses methane production, while debris from trees and aquatic plants promotes its release. The findings suggest that changes in vegetation could lead to a doubling of lake emissions and exacerbate climate change.
Researchers discovered microbes that share a meal by transferring electricity through conductive particles, outcompeting other microorganisms. This unusual partnership results in the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but also holds promise for sustainable biotechnology applications.
Researchers propose a novel two-part system combining gas hydrates and membranes to separate impurities from natural gas. The integrated system aims to improve performance, reduce costs and diminish ecological side effects compared to benchmark technologies.
Researchers create glycine, an essential amino acid, from simple molecules in a laboratory experiment that mimics astrophysical conditions. The study suggests that the combination of star dust and radiation could have formed life's building blocks in space, leading to their arrival on Earth via comet or meteorite impact.
A new natural gas catalyst aims to reduce methane emissions from vehicle exhaust, a potent greenhouse gas. The US Department of Energy-funded project will develop and optimize a lower-cost, more efficient catalyst to eliminate unreacted methane, making natural gas a cleaner-burning fuel option.
A research team from Berkeley Lab tracked a rise in methane's warming effect over 10 years, confirming its importance as a greenhouse gas. The study used highly calibrated measurements to isolate the changing greenhouse effect of methane and found it began to rise in sync with concentrations in 2007.
Researchers developed more accurate models to predict methane emissions from dairy cattle, utilizing individual data from over 5,200 lactating cows from 15 countries. The new models can be used to create region-specific inventories, improving the accuracy of carbon footprint assessments and mitigation strategies.
The SUGAR project has expanded knowledge of gas hydrates in the seafloor and developed technologies for environmental monitoring. Companies from Germany have successfully tested methane extraction from submarine hydrate deposits, with interest from Asian countries like Japan and China.
A new field instrument can quantify methane leaks as tiny as one-quarter of a human exhalation from nearly a mile away. The revamped laser technology provides game-changing information for safe industry operations and controlling harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
A new laser-based system can detect small methane leaks over an area of several square miles, allowing for continuous monitoring of costly and dangerous leaks. The technology uses frequency comb laser spectroscopy to pinpoint the location and size of leaks with high sensitivity and range.
Researchers have developed a novel solution to detect, locate, and quantify methane leaks using a mobile dual-comb device. The system combines NIST's frequency comb technology with an array of corner cube retroreflectors for continuous monitoring over large areas.
Researchers have found that water-saturated permafrost soils can produce twice as much methane as dry soils without oxygen, significantly underestimating its role in the climate. The study's findings suggest that thawing permafrost could produce up to 1 gigaton of methane by 2100.
Researchers found that methane in sea ice is transported thousands of kilometers across the Arctic Ocean and released months later, influencing climate change. The phenomenon has not been reflected in current climate models.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study Mars' transition from wet to dry, revealing clues about the planet's past and present habitability. The telescope will also analyze the abundance of water and methane in the Martian atmosphere, shedding light on the origin of these gases.
A new study proposes a North American Methane Reduction Framework to integrate public and private research and mitigation policies in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The researchers suggest that estimating emissions consistently across U.S. jurisdictions can help achieve the goal of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas sectors by 2025.
A team of researchers found that rapid changes in sedimentation, not warming ocean waters, played a key role in destabilizing gas hydrates. The study used computer models and data from the Nyegga area to simulate the evolution of the seabed and response of gas hydrates during this period.
A USC-led analysis of the Aliso Canyon gas leak found that corporate dysfunction and lack of regulatory oversight led to the largest methane gas leak in US history. The study highlights the need for improved safety culture, better industrial management, and more stringent regulations in underground gas storage facilities.
Researchers re-created a Titan ocean in a laboratory and studied the freezing temperatures of methane and ethane lakes. They discovered that nitrogen in the liquid causes lakes to freeze at lower temperatures than expected, which could be beneficial for the submarine's operation.
The study reveals that methane hydrate melts from the Arctic sea floor due to sea floor uplift, causing a slow and steady methane release over 8000 years. The research suggests that this process is more likely than ocean warming as the cause of methane seeps in the region.
Scientists at USC Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute have developed a more efficient pathway for converting methane into basic chemicals. The new catalyst, H-SAPO-34, converts methane directly into ethylene and propylene, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and replacing traditional processes.
Researchers have used novel infrared laser techniques to study methane scattering on a nickel surface with full quantum-state resolution. This breakthrough allows for the observation of vibrational energy redistribution during surface scattering, which can be tested by state-of-the-art quantum theories.
Scientists at Waseda University have developed a novel reaction mechanism for the oxidative coupling of methane, enabling the efficient synthesis of ethylene at a lower temperature. This breakthrough could significantly reduce production costs and make the process more accessible to small-scale manufacturers.
A University of Washington study identifies a new combination of gases that could provide evidence of life: methane plus carbon dioxide minus carbon monoxide. This imbalance signals life, and the method is doable and may lead to the historic discovery of an extraterrestrial biosphere.
Shallow lakes in agricultural landscapes will emit significantly greater amounts of methane due to the combination of warming and nutrient enrichment. Methane ebullition increases by up to 17-fold with high nutrient levels, highlighting the need for managing agricultural landscapes to minimize this potent greenhouse gas emission.
Researchers found that ancient methane from ocean sediments is being released into the ocean, but only a small amount survives to be emitted to the atmosphere. The study suggests that catastrophic emission of methane from degrading hydrates may not be an inherent outcome of climate change.
Scientists at Utah State University have identified a new bacterial, iron-only nitrogenase pathway for methane formation, transforming carbon dioxide into methane in a single step. This finding provides a second target for understanding biological methane production and rising emissions.
Researchers uncover an enzymatic pathway in certain microorganisms that produces both ammonia and methane simultaneously. This previously unknown route for natural methane production has significant implications for understanding microbial interactions and the environment.
Researchers find uplift of sea floor in region caused by ice melting to be primary cause of methane hydrate dissolution. The process, ongoing for thousands of years, is not linked to climate change.
An international team of researchers has combined experiments with quantum theory to explore methane dissociation reactions in minute detail. They found that dissociation reactions are at least two orders of magnitude more efficient on steps than on terraces, providing new insights for optimizing catalysts.
Researchers found high methane concentrations in groundwater near a 1965 gas well blowout site in the Netherlands, suggesting ongoing methane leakage from the reservoir. Methane oxidation reduced isotope concentrations with increasing distance from the blowout site.
Researchers at Osaka University have created a radical reaction that converts methane into methanol and formic acid using a clean, low-temperature process. The process achieves this goal without the need for high temperatures or pressures, converting over 99% of methane into the target products.
Researchers create simulated space environments where small organic molecules form under radiation, potentially offering an alternative explanation for the origin of life. The study used advanced techniques to analyze icy films containing methane and oxygen, producing a variety of complex organic molecules.
Researchers developed a model that shows how planetary chemistry could create a greenhouse effect on an exoplanet, keeping it warm despite a cold sun. The model, based on Earth's possible geological and biological chemistry three billion years ago, suggests that methane may have played a key role in maintaining the planet's temperature.
Researchers at Rice University have created an asphalt-based sorbent that can capture more than twice its weight in carbon dioxide from natural gas, outperforming traditional methods. The new material features the selectivity of amines but requires no thermal source and has negligible degradation over multiple testing cycles.
Researchers have discovered a long-sought source of ocean methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. The enzyme methylphosphonate synthase (MPnS) is found in abundant marine microbes and may produce the compound that is converted to methane.
Researchers measured gas levels in comet 45P, revealing it doesn't match any studied before, with carbon monoxide and methane being detected. The team found a larger-than-average share of frozen methanol, raising questions about its origin.
Researchers at DGIST developed a highly efficient titanium dioxide-based photocatalyst that can convert carbon dioxide into methane. The newly created material shows the highest conversion rate of 12.49% and has been proven to increase methane conversion efficiency up to 29 times using platinum nanoparticles.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered a new method for directly converting methane into methanol using a heterogeneous catalyst and low-cost molecular oxygen. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective production of chemicals, fuels, and high-grade hydrogen.
A new study challenges previous estimates of US livestock methane emissions, suggesting a significant discrepancy between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The researchers used a spatially explicit approach to estimate enteric methane emissions for cattle and manure methane emissions for swine and poultry.
A new approach has been developed to measure methane emissions from livestock, highlighting the need for more accurate estimates. The study reveals that current data may be outdated and do not fully consider factors such as feed intake and manure storage, leading to large uncertainties in methane emission figures.
A research team led by David Brankovits discovered that cave-adapted organisms can thrive on methane gas and bacteria near it, raising the possibility of similar life forms existing worldwide. The study found a complex food web involving tiny organisms and large shrimp.