The device, called EMIT, was launched in July and placed on the International Space Station, originally intended to observe how the movement of mineral dust affects the climate
A new NASA instrument allowed them to be detected from Space dozens of sources of methane “over-emissions” on Earth and scientists hope that this function will allow action to be taken in order to limit the emissions of this gas which contributes greatly to climate change.
These “over-emitting” sources are generally facilities associated with the fossil fuel, waste processing or even agricultural sectors.
This device, called EMIT, was launched into space in July and placed on the International Space Station, originally intended to observe how the movement of mineral dust affects the climate.
However, this tool also proved useful for another important purpose: allowed more than 50 “hyper-emitting” sources of methane to be identified in central Asia, the Middle East and the southwestern United States, NASA announced yesterday, Tuesday.
This operation “will not only help scientists better identify where methane leaks are coming from, but also help us understand how we can deal with them quickly,” noted NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Some of the clouds spotted “are among the largest ever seen,” the statement also said Andrew Thorpe, of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). “What we have found in such a short time is already beyond what we could have imagined”write down.
In Turkmenistan, this instrument detected 12 clouds of gas and oil infrastructure east of the port city of Khazar. Heading west, some of these clouds extend more than 20 miles (32 km).
In the US state of New Mexico, another plume about 3.3 kilometers long was spotted above one of the largest oil fields in the world.
In Iran, south of Tehran, a plume of at least 4.8 kilometers was observed, which came from a waste treatment plant. Litter can be a significant source of methane, as it is released during decomposition.
Scientists estimate that these the three facilities emit respectively 50,400, 18,300 and 8,500 kg of methane per hour.
EMIT is “the first of a new generation of imaging spectrographs aimed at observing the Earth,” NASA emphasized, although methods for detecting methane leaks via satellites have already been greatly developed in recent years.
Methane is responsible for about 30% of global warming. Although it stays in the atmosphere for much less time than carbon dioxide, it contributes 80 times more to global warming over a 20-year period.
The reduction of methane emissions is therefore considered critical in order to be able to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
