Thanks for raising this point. Please comment upon the influence of=20 methanotropic bacteria and the weight of=20 methane. I agree, however, that drowning=20 ecosystems is a lousy idea; I just want to=20 encourage "whole system" analysis and net energy=20 calculations. What happens to the methane after it leaves the turbines?
WT At 06:20 PM 2/8/2006, Wil Burns wrote: >Actually, hydropower produces substantial=20 >amounts of carbon dioxide and methane emissions,=20 >though this varies radically from dam to dam.=20 >But, for example, a study by Fearnside a few=20 >years ago found the greenhouse effect of=20 >emissions from the Curu=E1-Una dam in Par=E1,=20 >Brazil, was more than three-and-a-half times=20 >what would have been produced by generating the=20 >same amount of electricity from oil. This is=20 >attributable to carbon releases from trees and=20 >other plants when the reservoir is flooded and=20 >the plants rot. Methane releases occur because=20 >plant matter settling on the reservoir's bottom=20 >decomposes without oxygen, resulting in a=20 >build-up of dissolved methane. This is released=20 >into the atmosphere when water passes through the dam's turbines. > > Dr. Wil Burns, Co-Chair >American Society of International Law - International Environmental Law= Group >1702 Arlington Blvd. >El Cerrito, CA 94530 USA >Ph: 650.281.9126 >Fax:214.580.9415 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >________________________________________________ >More life; the great work begins >"Angels in America" > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Ecological Society of America: grants,=20 >jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Judith Weis >Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 3:13 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: What's the best energy source? > > Hydro doesn't produce pollution, but it sure is lethal for salmon and >other species that have to migrate up and/or down rivers. > > 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert >1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, > and pollution. >2000's: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction > MAY help restore populations. > \ \ > \ \ \ > - - _ - \ \ \ \ ----\ > - _ - \ > - - ( O \ > _ - -_ __ / > - - / > -/// _ ______ ___/ > /// / > Judith S. Weis, Professor Department of Biological Sciences > Rutgers University, Newark NJ 07102 [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Phone: 973 353-5387 FAX 973 353-5518 > http://newarkbiosci.rutgers.edu/faculty/weis.html > > > > >William C.G. Burns, Co-Chair >American Society of International Law - International Environmental Law= Group >1702 Arlington Blvd. >El Cerrito, CA 94530 USA >Ph: 650.281.9126 Fax: 801.838.8710 >http://www.internationalwildlifelaw.org > >
