Knowledge Gaps
Physical science / mechanism
Version published: 
September 5, 2024 - 7:24pm
- The field of methane removal is very nascent and there are many open science questions. These knowledge gaps also differ by approach. Some of these from Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer include:
- How do different radicals affect methane oxidation?
- Can we develop greater precision over time and space of methane sinks?
- How would abatement or emissions growth of a given reactive gas (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen) impact methane oxidation rates and atmospheric lifetime, and the lifetime and effects of other gasses?
- What are more accurate baselines and trajectories for diffuse sources of methane?
- How might we develop better predictive capabilities for the state and timelines of tipping elements and other non-linear behaviors in natural methane sources?
- How can we better constrain our understanding of methane sources?
- The field of methane removal is very nascent and there are many open science questions. These knowledge gaps also differ by approach. Some of these from Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer include:
- How do different radicals affect methane oxidation?
- Can we develop greater precision over time and space of methane sinks?
- How would abatement or emissions growth of a given reactive gas (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen) impact methane oxidation rates and atmospheric lifetime, and the lifetime and effects of other gasses?
- What are more accurate baselines and trajectories for diffuse sources of methane?
- How might we develop better predictive capabilities for the state and timelines of tipping elements and other non-linear behaviors in natural methane sources?
- How can we better constrain our understanding of methane sources?
Engineering needs (technical feasibility)
Version published: 
September 5, 2024 - 7:24pm
- The field of methane removal is very nascent and there are many open science questions. These knowledge gaps also differ by approach. Some of these from Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer include:
- Can improved sensors be developed for in situ atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial monitoring?
- Development of bio-engineering for methanotrophy enhancement.
- How can catalytic efficiency for reactors and surface treatments be improved?
- Can more efficient airflow systems for reactors be developed?
- Development of mechanisms for particle generation and dispersal for atmospheric oxidation enhancement approaches.
- The field of methane removal is very nascent and there are many open science questions. These knowledge gaps also differ by approach. Some of these from Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer include:
- Can improved sensors be developed for in situ atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial monitoring?
- Development of bio-engineering for methanotrophy enhancement.
- How can catalytic efficiency for reactors and surface treatments be improved?
- Can more efficient airflow systems for reactors be developed?
- Development of mechanisms for particle generation and dispersal for atmospheric oxidation enhancement approaches.
Cost
Version published: 
September 5, 2024 - 7:24pm
- From Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer
- What are low cost methods to better monitor methane emissions in real time from diffuse sources globally?
- From Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer
- What are low cost methods to better monitor methane emissions in real time from diffuse sources globally?
Environmental risks / benefits
Version published: 
September 5, 2024 - 7:24pm
- From Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer
- What impact could changes to solar incidence from a changing climate, or deliberate radiation modification have on methane oxidation?
- What are the full set of impacts of the rate of warming and overshoot, in order to be able to evaluate potential modeled scenarios for deployment?
- The United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has a forthcoming report on atmospheric methane removal.
- From Spark Climate Solutions’ Atmospheric Methane Primer
- What impact could changes to solar incidence from a changing climate, or deliberate radiation modification have on methane oxidation?
- What are the full set of impacts of the rate of warming and overshoot, in order to be able to evaluate potential modeled scenarios for deployment?
- The United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has a forthcoming report on atmospheric methane removal.
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