{"id":37169,"date":"2013-07-31T20:28:33","date_gmt":"2013-08-01T00:28:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/planetsave.com\/?p=37169"},"modified":"2013-07-31T20:28:33","modified_gmt":"2013-08-01T00:28:33","slug":"dams-contribute-more-to-greenhouse-gas-emissions-than-previously-thought-sediment-behind-dam-releases-significant-amounts-of-methane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/planetsave.com\/articles\/dams-contribute-more-to-greenhouse-gas-emissions-than-previously-thought-sediment-behind-dam-releases-significant-amounts-of-methane\/","title":{"rendered":"Dams Contribute More To Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than Previously Thought — Sediment Behind Dam Releases Significant Amounts Of Methane"},"content":{"rendered":"

Small dams may contribute much more to greenhouse gas emissions than was previously thought, according to new research — the sediments that build up behind dams release more methane than was previously known.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a>
Image Credits: Dam<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that dams — particularly large hydroelectric dams — contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n

The press release<\/a> explains:<\/p>\n

Andreas Maeck and colleagues point out that the large reservoirs of water behind the world’s 50,000 large dams are a known source of methane. Like carbon dioxide, methane is one of the greenhouse gases, which trap heat near Earth’s surface and contribute to global warming. Methane, however, has a warming effect 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The methane comes from organic matter in the sediments that accumulate behind dams. That knowledge led to questions about hydroelectric power’s image as a green and nonpolluting energy source. Maeck’s team decided to take a look at methane releases from the water impoundments behind smaller dams that store water less than 50 feet deep.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n