Preprint. Discussion started: 22 October 2019
Abstract.
This study presents the first investigation of the methane (CH4) emissions of a big festival. In 2018 we measured the CH4 emissions of Munich Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival, using in-situ measurements combined with a Gaussian plume dispersion model. Oktoberfest is a potential source for CH4 as a high amount of natural gas for cooking and heating isused.
Measurements were performed by walking and biking around the perimeter of the Oktoberfest premises (Theresienwiese) at different times of the day, during the week and at the weekend. The measurements show enhancements of up to 100 ppb compared to background values and measurements performed after Oktoberfest. The average emission flux of Oktoberfest is determined as(6.7±0.6)μg/(m2s). Additional analyses, including the daily emission cycle and comparisons between emissions and the number of visitors, suggest that CH4 emissions of Oktoberfest are not only due to the human biogenic emissions; it is likely that fossil fuel CH4 emissions, such as incomplete combustion or loss in the gas appliances, are the major contributors to Oktoberfest emissions.
Our results can help to develop CH4 reduction policies and measures to reduce emissions at festivals and other major events in cities. Furthermore, events with a limited duration have not yet been included in the state-of-the-art emission inventories,such as TNO-MACC, EDGAR or IER. Our investigations show that these emissions are not negligible. Therefore, these events should be included in future emission inventories....MUCH MORE (25 page PDF)
Yeah, I got yr Gaussian plume right here.
Despite the "...it is likely that fossil fuel CH4 emissions, such as incomplete combustion..." my bet is that old Heinz mit the wurst and the bier is giving those fossil fuels a run for their CH4 money.
A few highlights of the research:
We have compared the determined total emission flux with bottom-up estimates of biogenic emissions from human...That is research dedication my friends.
... Since we were not allowed to enter the festival area due to safety concerns...
...3.4 Biogenic human CH4emissions
To address the question whether the people themselves caused the emissions or whether the emissions were caused by processes that are related to the number of visitors, such as cooking, heating, sewage, etc., we took a closer look at human biogenic emissions....
