Emission of Greenhouse Gases by Hydropower Reservoirs in Afghanistan

Abstract

Studies show that hydropower reservoirs produce 35-70 times more greenhouse gas (GHG) when compared to thermal power plants. The emissions not only depend on the type of eco-region in which the reservoir is located but also on the reservoir characteristics and water quality parameters. This paper explains the emission of greenhouse gases of hydropower reservoirs in Afghanistan. This paper focuses on the introduction and explanation of the main factors for the production of carbon dioxide and methane . This indicates, how much or how large, the quantity of greenhouse gases which are produced by hydropower reservoirs when compared to other sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Afghanistan. In addition, this paper includes the results of emissions of greenhouse gases of the Noghlu power dam in the Surobi district of Kabul. The Noghlu power dam has not been cleaned up in the last thirty years. It has deposited up to 15 meters of animal, vegetable, and trash. The deposits of these years have reached up to hundreds/thousands of ton. All the animal, vegetable, and trash materials that are transferred by the Kabul River from the Kabul city, from Maidan Wardak and Logar provinces by the Logar River, from Punjshir, Parwan, and Kapisa provinces through the Punjshir River, from Tagab and Alasai districts through the Tagab River are all transferred and settled in the Noghlu dam. As a result, these materials are converted to greenhouse gases of carbon dioxide and methane through aerobic and anaerobic oxidation.