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Aerial surveys reveal United States landfills are significant source of methane emissions

Over half of U.S. landfills observed by aerial studies are superemitting sources of methane, according to a brand-new research study in the journal Science published on Thursday.

The study is the largest evaluation to date of methane from garbage dumps, the third-largest source of U.S. methane emissions, and recommends an opportunity to take on climate change by targeting a widespread and powerful greenhouse gas.

It was led by research study group Carbon Mapper, with researchers from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Scientific Air Travel, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Around 52% of garbage dumps had observable methane emission point sources compared to the 0.2% to 1% of super-emitter. sites in the oil and gas sector, the biggest U.S. source of. methane.

Super emitters are sources that gush a minimum of 100 kilograms. ( 100 lbs) of methane per hour, according to the EPA.

At big releasing garbage dumps, 60% had methane leakages that. persisted over months or years while the majority of leaks at. super-emitting sites in the oil and gas sector were. short-duration events, the study said.

Dan Cusworth, researcher at Carbon Mapper and lead author of. the study, said that pinpointing these leaks provides a quick way. to target emissions.

Dealing with these high methane sources and alleviating. persistent landfill emissions offers a strong capacity for. environment advantage, he said in a statement.

Far, oil and gas has actually been the main target of emerging. policies and voluntary programs in the United States, Europe. and in other places.

As more aerial and satellite surveys are launched,. regulators will have the ability to measure, measure and act on methane. from land fills.

To date, regulators and companies have counted on model-based. price quotes of land fill emissions, in addition to studies with. handheld methane sensing units, which offer a less complete image,. the research study stated.

The EPA's own greenhouse gas reporting system has. underestimated the scale of methane leaks in garbage dumps,. according to the study. Aerial surveys revealed emission rates. were 1.4 times higher than the EPA's quotes.

The EPA said that in 2021, 12% of all U.S. greenhouse gas. emissions from human activities came from methane.

(source: Reuters)