Analysis of Methane Emissions in The Marcellus Shale

Authors:

Michelle Diep, Lucas Estrada, Megan He, Daniel Jacob

Date Created:

2025-01-01

Course Title:

Professor:

Not specified

About Paper:

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent emissions over a one-month period. We quantified variability in greenhouse gas responsible for roughly 0.7 C of current-day methane mixing ratios (XCH ) a4ross the region and identified warming relative to preindustrial times. The Marcellus Shale is potential emissions hotspots. We also analyzed varying periods of the largest natural gas-producing basin in the United States (U.S.), emissions and additional satellite parameters such as observation spanning portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New densities and shortwave infrared (SWIR) albedo. York. Assessment of the spatial distribution of emission sources Preliminary results revealed methane enhancements in the and magnitudes is critical for implementing targeted mitigation efforts. However, accurate quantification and attribution of southwestern corner of Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, emissions in this region remains a challenge due to the complex with seasonal variation likely influenced by meteorological and climate factors. These identified hotspots are linked to active oil topography and the close proximity of methane sources from and gas operations, as well as coal mining. Results from our 1- landfills, coal mines, and oil and gas infrastructure. This project month optimization showed a strong upward correction to EPA aims to spatially quantify and attribute methane sources across the Marcellus using optimization of satellite observations and U.S. estimates in West Virginia based on the atmospheric observations. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. Further optimization with continued emission monitoring using satellite observations could help identify additional high emitting We used data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument regions, allowing for targeted mitigation efforts in the most (TROPOMI) to analyze methane concentrations geospatially and affected areas. temporally over the years 2019-2024, and to infer methane 180 Salata Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Air Purification as an Intervention for Eosinophilic COPD: A Clinical Trial on Particulate Matter Filtration Kyra Jun, Alethea Atadika, Mary Rice Harvard College | Eliot House | Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology & Earth and Planetary Sciences | 2028 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects over repeated measurements of spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric 15% of U.S. adults over forty and stands as the nation’s third oxide (FeNO), and nasal epithelial lining fluid (ELF) sampling leading cause of death. From those affected, approximately by nasosorption. After eligibility and compliance screening, 178 40% present eosinophilic airway inflammation, a biologically participants were randomized to receive active or sham HEPA distinct phenotype marked by elevated eosinophils, increased filtration units in their bedroom and living room. inflammatory signaling, and distinct airway remodeling. Although We assayed nasal ELF samples for cytokines, chemokines, and responsive to corticosteroids, this phenotype lacks effective non- pharmacologic interventions. A growing body of evidence trace metals (e.g., Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr) associated with traffic- related air pollution and airway toxicity. Indoor air quality was implicates particulate matter (PM), a modifiable, often overlooked measured using mailed seven-day air samplers prior to each clinic exposure, as a driver of airway inflammation and lung function visit. Primary outcomes (FEV1, ELF inflammation, and symptom decline, even in nonsmokers. PM thus is a high-impact target for intervention. burden) will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models upon trial completion in early 2026. This study investigates whether high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration can improve respiratory outcomes in This is the first trial to rigorously test air purification as an intervention for eosinophilic COPD. If successful, HEPA filtration eosinophilic COPD. To test this, we conducted a randomized, may offer a scalable, non-pharmacologic strategy to improve double-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of eosinophilic COPD outcomes and could inform health insurance HEPA filtration in this population. Prior to randomization, participants completed a three-month observational run-in with coverage for environmental mitigation.

Abstract:

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent emissions over a one-month period. We quantified variability in greenhouse gas responsible for roughly 0.7 C of current-day methane mixing ratios (XCH ) a4ross the region and identified warming relative to preindustrial times. The Marcellus Shale is potential emissions hotspots. We also analyzed varying periods of the largest natural gas-producing basin in the United States (U.S.), emissions and additional satellite parameters such as observation spanning portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New densities and shortwave infrared (SWIR) albedo. York. Assessment of the spatial distribution of emission sources Preliminary results revealed methane enhancements in the and magnitudes is critical for implementing targeted mitigation efforts. However, accurate quantification and attribution of southwestern corner of Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, emissions in this region remains a challenge due to the complex with seasonal variation likely influenced by meteorological and climate factors. These identified hotspots are linked to active oil topography and the close proximity of methane sources from and gas operations, as well as coal mining. Results from our 1- landfills, coal mines, and oil and gas infrastructure. This project month optimization showed a strong upward correction to EPA aims to spatially quantify and attribute methane sources across the Marcellus using optimization of satellite observations and U.S. estimates in West Virginia based on the atmospheric observations. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. Further optimization with continued emission monitoring using satellite observations could help identify additional high emitting We used data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument regions, allowing for targeted mitigation efforts in the most (TROPOMI) to analyze methane concentrations geospatially and affected areas. temporally over the years 2019-2024, and to infer methane 180 Salata Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Air Purification as an Intervention for Eosinophilic COPD: A Clinical Trial on Particulate Matter Filtration Kyra Jun, Alethea Atadika, Mary Rice Harvard College | Eliot House | Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology & Earth and Planetary Sciences | 2028 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects over repeated measurements of spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric 15% of U.S. adults over forty and stands as the nation’s third oxide (FeNO), and nasal epithelial lining fluid (ELF) sampling leading cause of death. From those affected, approximately by nasosorption. After eligibility and compliance screening, 178 40% present eosinophilic airway inflammation, a biologically participants were randomized to receive active or sham HEPA distinct phenotype marked by elevated eosinophils, increased filtration units in their bedroom and living room. inflammatory signaling, and distinct airway remodeling. Although We assayed nasal ELF samples for cytokines, chemokines, and responsive to corticosteroids, this phenotype lacks effective non- pharmacologic interventions. A growing body of evidence trace metals (e.g., Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr) associated with traffic- related air pollution and airway toxicity. Indoor air quality was implicates particulate matter (PM), a modifiable, often overlooked measured using mailed seven-day air samplers prior to each clinic exposure, as a driver of airway inflammation and lung function visit. Primary outcomes (FEV1, ELF inflammation, and symptom decline, even in nonsmokers. PM thus is a high-impact target for intervention. burden) will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models upon trial completion in early 2026. This study investigates whether high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration can improve respiratory outcomes in This is the first trial to rigorously test air purification as an intervention for eosinophilic COPD. If successful, HEPA filtration eosinophilic COPD. To test this, we conducted a randomized, may offer a scalable, non-pharmacologic strategy to improve double-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of eosinophilic COPD outcomes and could inform health insurance HEPA filtration in this population. Prior to randomization, participants completed a three-month observational run-in with coverage for environmental mitigation.

Source:

Harvard / Ludmila Blackappl, Hannes De Deurwaerder, Noel (Missy) Holbrook / 2025

Topics:

methane, emission, air, gas, eosinophilic, copd, filtration, observation, using, intervention, trial, airway

Co-authors:

@michellediep457 , @lucasestrada458 , @meganhe459 , @danieljacob460