Scientists have found that hydropower plants and reservoirs used to extract electricity and irrigation systems emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. This was discovered by scientists from the University of Washington, who conducted a molecular analysis of the reservoirs used to generate electricity. Hydroelectric power plants produce 1.3% of carbon air pollution, which is several times higher than normal.
During the formation of the reservoir, new lands are flooded, and the soil loses oxygen reserves. In this environment, the number of organisms producing carbon dioxide and methane increases, which in turn pollute the atmosphere. As dam construction is increasing now, methane emissions are increasing.
These discoveries were made on time, because the world community is going to adopt an agreement on the decarbonization of the economy, which means that the number of hydropower plants will increase. However, it is not possible to close hydroelectric power plants at the moment, since they have enormous energy potential. In this regard, a new task has arisen for power engineers and ecologists: how to use water resources to produce energy without harming the environment.
