- The climatic effect of the leaks should be estimated at about 7.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
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| Leak in the Nord Stream 2. |
Environmental disaster in the Nord Stream: leaks release methane into the atmosphere
The German environmental authorities warn of the damage that gas leaks detected in the Russian Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines can cause to the ecosystem since they can release methane into the atmosphere, much more harmful than CO2.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) estimates that 0.3 million tons of methane may be released, according to a statement issued by that department, which warns that at the moment there are no mechanisms to seal the affected pipes.
A ton of methane warms the atmosphere as much as 25 tons of CO2 over a hundred years, says that body. According to the calculations of that authority, the climatic effect of the leaks should be estimated at around 7.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
The German Minister of the Environment, the green Steffi Lemke, considered this Wednesday that the leaks do not entail serious dangers for the maritime ecosystem, but they do for the atmosphere.
A new escape
These estimates were based on the three leaks detected until this Wednesday in the Nord Stream 1 and 2, to which a fourth leak was added, sources from the Swedish Coast Guard reported today.
This fourth leak, smaller in size, is in the Swedish exclusive economic zone and in the Nord Stream II, according to Jenny Larsson, a spokeswoman for the Coast Guard, in the newspaper "Svenska Dagbladet". The discovery was made a day ago during a patrol by the Swedish authorities, who, like the Danish, monitor the area with boats and planes, although it had not been released until now.
In total there are two leaks in each gas pipeline, two in the Danish zone and two in the Swedish zone, in international waters. Both the governments of Sweden and Denmark, as well as that of Germany and the European Union (EU) attribute these leaks to sabotage, the origin of which is being investigated.
Both pipelines were out of service. Nord Stream 1 suspended supplies a few weeks ago due to Russia alleging technical problems, while Nord Stream 2 never entered service as the German government suspended the certification process following the recognition of the separatist republics of Donbas (Ukraine) by Moscow.
A serious sabotage
The investigation of the leaks is progressing slowly because concentrated gas continues to come out of the pipes, which prevents people from approaching the area. The Danish General Directorate of Energy reported this Wednesday that more than half of the gas in the pipes has come out and that the flow could stop this Sunday.
The Danish police are investigating the incident, as is the case in Sweden, where the Prosecutor's Office for security issues has taken on the case, already classified as serious sabotage, and the Swedish intelligence services collaborate in the investigations.
The electricity and gas sectors of Denmark and Sweden have raised the level of alarm over their facilities due to leaks, and the same has been done by neighboring Norway, despite the fact that it does not have coast in the Baltic, including a military presence.
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