Methane

The new method involves replacing one gas with another in the permafrost

Science

Flue gases extract methane from permafrost while reducing emissions

Researchers from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are looking at a method of extracting methane from Arctic permafrost, in a way that reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

A new report from the WMO says that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are at record highs – and still increasing

Environment

UN greenhouse gas report paints 2018 as multi-record-breaking year

A new UN report, the Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, says that in 2018, the globally-averaged concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere was 407.8 parts per million (ppm), a new record high that hasn’t been seen in millions of years.

Astronomers have released a global map of Saturn's moon Titan

Space

First global map of Titan highlights oceans, plains, dunes and mountains

In some ways, the most Earth-like world in our solar system is Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. And now, astronomers from NASA JPL and Arizona State University have used years of Cassini data to construct the first global map of Titan.

According to recent research, a lactating cow produces about 322g of methane per day

Environment

Agri-waste livestock feed could reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The burning of agricultural waste and the methane that's burped up by cows are two major sources of greenhouse gases. An experimental new type of animal feed, however, is aimed at reducing both the burning and the burps.

Permafrost in the Arctic is melting at alarming rates, resulting in methane making its way into the atmosphere

Environment

Powerful methane fountains seen bubbling to surface of Siberian sea

A Russian expedition through the East Siberian Sea has uncovered fountains of methane bubbles in concentrations never seen before.

Cows are responsible for a large portion of methane emissions from the agriculture sector, but a puffy pink seaweed could put a stop to that

Environment

Puffy pink seaweed that stops cows burping methane

The belches of cattle around the world are a huge source of methane emissions, but a sprinkling of seaweed in their diets could change that.

Researchers have investigated the gut microbes of sheep to find ways to reduce agricultural methane emissions

Environment

Manipulating gut microbes in livestock could cut their methane emissions

Livestock like sheep and cows are responsible for huge amounts of methane emissions. Now, an international team of researchers has analyzed the gut microbes of different sheep and found clues that may help us curb the problem.

A near-infrared view of Titan's northern hemisphere, with the orange areas highlighting where crystals of butane and acetylene form as the weird oceans evaporate

Space

Alien-ocean-in-a-lab experiments produce new crystals not found on Earth

With oceans of liquid methane, Saturn’s moon Titan is one of the most fascinating places in the solar system. To better understand this weird world, scientists recreated Titan’s alien oceans in the lab, producing new types of crystals that don’t occur naturally on Earth but may be common on Titan.

Space

Curiosity rover detects unusual spikes of methane on Mars

The latest methane measurements on Mars to generate some intrigue among planetary scientists stems from the largest ever reading of the gas taken during the Curiosity rover's seven-year mission, which again raises the prospect of microbial life existing at some time, some place on the Red Planet.

Research suggests the fertilizer industry's methane emissions is three times higher than the EPA assumed was emitted by all industrial production in the United States

Environment

Startling study finds US fertilizer industry emits 100 times more methane than estimated

A new study has independently measured methane emissions from a number of ammonia fertilizer plants. The startling results suggest methane emissions are 100 times higher than industry estimates, and three times higher than the EPA’s estimate for all industry methane emissions in the United States.

An illustration of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter analyzing the atmosphere of Mars

Space

Mystery of methane and water on Mars deepens with first-year results of Trace Gas Orbiter

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has made a map of the distribution of watery minerals in the Martian surface, studied how the global dust storm affected the atmosphere, and intriguingly found very little methane, which calls into question the results of a study just last week.

Methane’s super radiation-trapping abilities make it around 25 to 30 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas

Environment

Newly identified bacteria feeds on methane in the atmosphere

Scientists in Europe have made an exciting breakthrough in the effort to limit methane seeping into the atmosphere, isolating a previously unknown bacterium that appears to have a ravenous appetite for the atmospheric trace gas.