Research from Sweden’s Chalmers Institute of Technology reveals that ships not only transport goods but also significantly impact the environment by releasing methane when passing through shallow waters. This greenhouse gas is 27 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. The study found that busy shipping lanes can produce up to 20 times more methane emissions compared to calm areas, particularly noted in the Gulf of Neva, a shallow part of the Baltic Sea.
Surprisingly, the methane released does not originate from the ships themselves, but rather from the seabed due to pressure changes and water mixing caused by ships. The findings indicated that 28% of ship passages resulted in notable methane emissions, with container and cruise ships being the primary contributors.
Methane naturally forms in oxygen-free layers at the seabed, and the turbulence created by vessels allows for this gas to escape into the atmosphere. In shallow waters (less than 10 meters), bubbles can reach the surface before dissolving, significantly increasing methane flux rates.
These results suggest that many of the world’s busiest ports may be underreporting methane emissions, which could have global implications for climate change mitigation strategies. Future research will investigate methane emissions at other high-traffic, shallow-water ports, further aiming to improve global methane emission estimates. This knowledge is crucial for environmental monitoring and future decisions regarding shipping operations.
Source link
