• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home Science & Environment

Ships Trigger Hidden Methane Emissions from Seabed todayheadline

July 3, 2025
in Science & Environment
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
2
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Ship traffic in shallow coastal waters generates massive methane emissions simply by moving through the water—a previously unrecognized source of greenhouse gas pollution that could affect global climate calculations.

Swedish researchers discovered that ship passages trigger methane releases twenty times higher than nearby undisturbed areas, with emissions caused by pressure changes and water mixing rather than ship fuel choice.

The findings suggest that all ships, regardless of fuel type, contribute to methane emissions through their physical presence in methane-rich waters. This challenges current understanding of shipping’s climate impact and reveals gaps in greenhouse gas accounting methods.

The Pressure Connection

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology observed clear pulses of methane escaping from water to atmosphere as ships passed through shallow areas. The mechanism works like this: when ships move through water, they create pressure changes on the seafloor that force methane bubbles out of sediments more easily.

“Our measurements show that ship passages trigger clear pulses of high methane fluxes from the water to the atmosphere. This is caused by pressure changes and mixing of the water mass,” explained Amanda Nylund, researcher at Chalmers University of Technology and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.

The study measured pressure changes of 30-60 mbar beneath ships—similar to pressure variations known to trigger methane release in other marine environments. Combined with turbulent mixing in ship wakes, these pressure drops create perfect conditions for methane escape.

Surprising Scale of Emissions

The research team studied ship traffic in Russia’s Neva Bay and found remarkable emission levels:

  • Daily methane emissions reached 120 kg from just 5.5 kilometers of shipping lane
  • Methane flux was 11 times higher than typical coastal areas globally
  • Container and cruise ships triggered the most frequent large emissions
  • Even smaller ferry vessels generated substantial methane releases

All Ships Are Culprits

Unlike methane slip from liquefied natural gas engines—a known issue affecting only certain vessels—these emissions occur regardless of fuel type. Any ship moving through methane-rich sediment areas can trigger releases, making this a universal shipping impact.

The study revealed that ship size, speed, and design all influence emission magnitude. Ships longer than 250 meters always triggered emissions, while vessels under 125 meters rarely did. Speed mattered too—ships traveling faster than 12 knots generated the largest methane pulses.

Interestingly, the research uncovered technical details not emphasized in initial reports: twin-propeller vessels like passenger ferries created particularly large emissions, possibly because dual propellers affect larger water volumes and enhance gas exchange efficiency.

Climate Implications

Methane packs 27 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide over a century, making these emissions climatically significant. The researchers calculated that ship-triggered methane represented 22% additional warming compared to the ships’ fuel combustion emissions.

“Even if the pulses are short, the total amount during a day is significant,” Nylund noted. The phenomenon was discovered accidentally during other measurements, highlighting how easily such emissions can be overlooked.

The timing couldn’t be more relevant. As shipping works toward net-zero emissions by 2050, these newly identified methane sources will represent an increasing percentage of total shipping climate impact—particularly since they’re not addressed by current emission reduction strategies.

Global Hotspots

The discovery has worldwide implications because nine of the world’s ten largest ports sit in waters with similar conditions to Neva Bay. Major ports in China, Singapore, South Korea, and European hubs like Rotterdam and Antwerp likely experience comparable methane emissions.

“The next step is to estimate how large these effects can be globally,” said Ida-Maja Hassellöv, Professor of Maritime Environmental Science at Chalmers, who will lead follow-up research starting this autumn.

The study suggests that current methods for measuring coastal methane emissions systematically underestimate totals by avoiding shipping lanes—precisely where some of the largest emissions occur.

As global shipping traffic continues growing, understanding and potentially mitigating these hidden emissions becomes crucial for accurate climate accounting and effective environmental policy.

Related

There’s no paywall here

If our reporting has informed or inspired you, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, empowers us to continue delivering accurate, engaging, and trustworthy science and medical news. Independent journalism requires time, effort, and resources—your support ensures we can keep uncovering the stories that matter most to you.

Join us in making knowledge accessible and impactful. Thank you for standing with us!

Previous Post

See Vega-C rocket’s 3rd stage hoisted for upcoming launch photo of the day for July 3, 2025

Next Post

Sri Lanka GDP could lose 1.5-pct of GDP on a high Trump tariff: IMF todayheadline

Related Posts

Diagram showing the relatively straight trajectory of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system

New Interstellar Object Comet 3I/ATLAS—What We Know So Far as It Zips through the Solar System todayheadline

July 3, 2025
5
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS discovered racing through solar system

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS discovered racing through solar system

July 3, 2025
3
Next Post

Sri Lanka GDP could lose 1.5-pct of GDP on a high Trump tariff: IMF todayheadline

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0
Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy'

Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy' todayheadline

July 3, 2025
Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says

Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says todayheadline

July 3, 2025

I Built a 7-Figure Business with a Team I Had Never Met – Here’s What I Learned todayheadline

July 3, 2025

Sri Lanka follows Trump into ‘de minimis’ protectionism, China online platform hit todayheadline

July 3, 2025

Recent News

Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy'

Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy' todayheadline

July 3, 2025
4
Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says

Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says todayheadline

July 3, 2025
6

I Built a 7-Figure Business with a Team I Had Never Met – Here’s What I Learned todayheadline

July 3, 2025
5

Sri Lanka follows Trump into ‘de minimis’ protectionism, China online platform hit todayheadline

July 3, 2025
5

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy'

Amazon is selling a 'cute' $26 ruffle sleeve T-shirt for just $10, and shoppers say it's 'super comfy' todayheadline

July 3, 2025
Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says

Mexican boxer Chavez Jr arrested by US immigration officers, DHS says todayheadline

July 3, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co