According to an investigation by the Catalan Institute of Climate Sciences the hydroelectric dams or reservoirs they can also pollute and accentuate the climate change.
The process occurs because dead vegetation accumulates at the bottom of the dams located in tropical areas, which when decomposing this organic matter generates a methane emission that comes to the surface.
These emissions represent around 1,6% of emissions of greenhouse gases greenhouse on a global scale or the sum of 18 million tons of methane generated by the 186.500 square km of water stored in the tropical zone.
Methane is a gas that pollutes up to 34 times more than CO2 so that is to keep in mind.
This shows that the hydroelectric power production it is not harmless to the environment but has effects on it.
It is important to take this reality into account before continuing to dam in the tropics without too much analysis.
Small and well-located reservoirs are a clean energy source, but when pharaonic hydraulic works are built and in unsuitable areas they generate more negative than positive effects.
The tropics are very sensitive and fragile ecosystems, so it is necessary to evaluate well before building dams in these places.
The dams found in the tropics are helping to increase the carbon dioxide emissions because high temperatures generate greater production and degradation of plant material.
In addition, in general, the land has little unevenness, so the reservoirs must be more extensive to supply this aspect.
There are currently several hydroelectric projects in Brazil and other countries with tropical zones that should reassess the suitability of this type of undertaking.
Carrying out a correct cost-benefit analysis taking into account all the environmental variables is vital to make the correct decisions and avoid negative effects due to this type of work.
SOURCE: Europapress