(Bloomberg) — High concentrations of methane emissions
from man-made sources have been observed in parts of China and
India, according to an analysis of data collected by a Japanese
satellite.
Japan’s Gosat satellite is the world’s first specifically
designed to monitor greenhouse gases from space, according to a
statement from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and partners.
Data gathered between June 2009 and December 2012 shows
methane concentrations tend to be high in areas where
populations are most dense, according to the statement.
Large-scale farming areas and sites for production and
processing of oil and natural gas also see higher
concentrations, according to the statement.
Methane concentrations from man-made sources were higher in
areas around Chengdu and Chongqing in China, and regions around
Kolkata and Meghalaya in India and Dhaka, Bangladesh, according
to the study. Parts of Pakistan, Brazil, the U.S. and Russia
also had areas of high concentrations.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Chisaki Watanabe in Tokyo at cwatanabe5@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net
Iain Wilson, Jason Rogers