Satellite Sees Hot Spot of Methane in US Southwest
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A surprising hot spot of the potent global-warming gas methane hovers over part of the southwestern U.S., according to satellite data.
That result hints that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies considerably underestimate leaks of methane, which is also called natural gas.
The higher level of methane is not a local safety or a health issue for residents, but factors in overall global warming. It is likely leakage from pumping methane out of coal mines. While methane isn't the most plentiful heat-trapping gas, scientists worry about its increasing amounts and have had difficulties tracking emissions.
A satellite image of atmospheric methane concentrations over the continental U.S. shows the hot spot as a bright red blip over the Four Corners area of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. The image used data from 2003 to 2009.
Within that hot spot, a European satellite found atmospheric methane concentrations equivalent to emissions of about 1.3 million pounds a year. That's about 80 percent more than the EPA figured. Other ground-based studies have calculated that EPA estimates were off by 50 percent.
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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_METHANE_HOT_SPOT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-10-09-18-45-44
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)50-80% error is fairly significant.
Did someone forget to carry a decimal point? Is the measuring equipment out of calibration?
I'm sure there will be an explanation.
Warpy
(111,267 posts)which is why the local bus system runs on it. I'm not surprised there's a methane hot spot out here, it's probably coming through the soil in some places. I'm not surprised an estimate was off. They should have waited for data.
Mister Nightowl
(396 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)It this Colorado weed meets New Mexico chili?
DRoseDARs
(6,810 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,691 posts)~ Lmsp 🙌
newfie11
(8,159 posts)Near Farmington? Haven't been back there since early 60s but it was a hugh plant when built back then.
I remember us kid stealing "drip" out of tanks in the fields to run our cars. Don't know what it was or what it did to engines.
I didn't have a car but friends did.
That area has been pumping oil, gas for a long time.