Wastewater Technology Division, NEERI.
*Author for correspondence: M Karthik, Scientist, Wastewater Technology Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (an institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440 020, India, Tel: +91 712 2249763; Fax: +91-712-2249900, Email: m_karthik@neeri.res.in.
Growth in population and industries is linked to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide. CH4 emissions are important, since their global warming potential is 21 times higher than that of CO2. Almost all the countries have identified sources that are potential CH4 emitters, and wastewater is one of them. Inventory estimates are prepared considering the Tier I approach based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for the estimation of CH4 emissions from wastewater. The estimates provide an insight into the quantum of CH4 emission from wastewater handling in India. This study indicates increasing quantity of CH4 gas emissions from both domestic and industrial wastewaters during 1980–2008. Emission estimates have uncertainties due to many variables involved. Reduction in uncertainties is achieved through increased inputs of primary and secondary data.This article discusses GHG emission with special references to CH4 market based on incentives, such as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) that provides opportunities for developing countries to improve upon existing wastewater handling and infrastructure.
Greenhouse gases, global warming, wastewater, Clean Development Mechanisms
