Oh Poo

posted by Sydney and Natalie

When you see a pile of cow poop, usually all you see is a pile of cow poop.

But,California scientists are now discovering new ways to harness that not-so-beautiful sourc of power. As cow manure decomposes, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. Scientists say controlling methane emissions from animals such as cows would be a major step in addressing climate change.To tap the renewable gas from cow manure, the dairy farm first flushes manure into a large, octagonal pit where it becomes about 99% water. It is then pumped into a covered lagoon, first passing through a screen that filters out large solids that eventually become the cows’ bedding.The covered lagoon, or “digester,” is the size of nearly five football fields and about 33 feet deep. It is lined with plastic to protect the groundwater. This scientific advance is going to be an interesting thing to watch "bloom."