Research published in Environmental Research Letters has shown that methane emissions from urban areas are underestimated by a factor of three to four and that untreated wastewater may be a contributing factor.
Research published in Environmental Research Letters has shown that methane emissions from urban areas are underestimated by a factor of three to four and that untreated wastewater may be a contributing factor.
The study, “Investigating high methane emissions from urban areas detected by TROPOMI and their association with untreated wastewater,” was led by Benjamin de Foy, Ph.D., professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Saint Louis University, and published online on March 14.
The researchers found that methane emissions from the discharge of untreated wastewater are a major contributor to global methane emissions and that improving wastewater treatment in urban areas could lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, helping cities on a quest for carbon neutrality.
“We estimate that reducing discharges of untreated wastewater could reduce global methane emissions by up to 5 to 10%,” said de Foy. “This could also yield significant ecological and human benefits.”
Read more at: St Louis University
Benjamin de Foy, Ph.D. (Photo Credit: Steve Dolan)
