Methane in Kazakhstan: sources and dynamics

Abstract

Natural and anthropogenic sources of methane in the Republic are considered. The main anthropogenic sources are coal mining and oil and gas production areas. Coal mining is concentrated in the central regions of the republic, and oil and gas production is concentrated in the western regions. It is shown that as a result of a noticeable reduction in underground coal mining, methane emissions have significantly decreased. Oil and gas production sites remain fairly stable sources of methane. There is an increase in the share of emissions from the transportation of hydrocarbon fuels; significant dynamics are observed in maritime transportation, as one of the most dynamically growing sources.

The purpose of this study was to study the main sources of emissions on the territory of Kazakhstan, to estimate the volume of methane emitted, to assess its dynamics over the past decades and to make some prognostic estimates of this dynamics.

The materials of the inventory for a thirty-year period and data from satellites carrying out regular sounding of pollutants in the atmosphere were used. A satellite that successfully measures concentrations of major impurities in the atmosphere, clouds, etc. with the help of a modern lidar, having a horizontal resolution of 333 m.

Analyzing satellite data, it was possible to detect other sources of methane besides. The spatial distribution of methane is significantly affected by transboundary transport.