# Gas pipelines and city gas: Impact on the biosphere

Leaks, compressor noise and corridors through forests and wetlands

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/biosphere/

What this tab covers Effects on human, animal, plant, fungal and microbial life and on whole ecosystems: in the short term (construction and early years), medium term (operating life) and long term (decommissioning and legacy).

Construction cuts a long strip through land and water; operation brings compressor noise, rare explosions and steady methane leakage; old pipes left in the ground can leak or corrode for decades.
 Methane from natural gas operations, world, 2025 36 Mt^[7](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/key-findings) Fossil fuel methane avoidable at no net cost, 2025 more than 35 Mt, about 28% of the 124 Mt total (calculated)^[7](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/key-findings) Measured transmission leak rate versus EPA estimate 172 g/h average versus 44 g/h (5 leaks measured)^[9](https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/study-finds-natural-gas-leaks-in-transmission-pipelines-that-exceed-epa-estimates) Compressors' share of US transmission and storage methane up to 45% (2012 estimate)^[1](https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-natural-gas-compressor-stations)

#### Effects over time

| Life affected | Short term | Medium term | Long term |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Humans**^[1](https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-natural-gas-compressor-stations)^[8](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c00437) | Disturbance, traffic and land access disputes along the right of way during building | Compressor noise (FERC limit 55 dBA day-night average at the nearest home); explosion and fire risk from leaks and dig-ins; methane adds to climate warming | Old cast iron and bare steel mains keep leaking until replaced |
| **Animals**^[3](https://energytransfer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pipelines101-FN2.pdf) | Trenching and clearing disturb wildlife; wetland and stream crossings need environmental permits | Cleared corridors can split habitat and change animal movement | Little evidence of effect once land is restored |
| **Plants**^[3](https://energytransfer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pipelines101-FN2.pdf) | Vegetation removed along the working strip | Rights of way kept clear of deep-rooted trees and buildings over the pipe | Corridors usually regrow as grassland or scrub |
| **Fungi and soil life**^[8](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c00437) | Topsoil stripped and compacted during construction | Leaking gas can displace oxygen in soil and kill roots and soil life near leaks | Little evidence of effect |
| **Ecosystems**^[7](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/key-findings) | River crossings and wetlands disturbed | Methane from the whole gas chain warms the climate | Climate effect of past methane fades over a few decades, unlike carbon dioxide |

#### How the effects are reduced

The most effective steps are cutting methane: finding and fixing leaks quickly, replacing old cast iron and bare steel mains, swapping gas-driven pneumatic devices and old reciprocating compressors, and using electric drives. Routing lines along existing corridors, boring under rivers and restoring topsoil reduce construction damage. Odorising gas, one-call dig-safe systems and in-line inspection reduce explosion risk.

#### Sources

1. [Understanding Natural Gas Compressor Stations](https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-natural-gas-compressor-stations) Penn State Extension, 2015
2. [Pipelines 101](https://energytransfer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pipelines101-FN2.pdf) Energy Transfer, 2021
3. [Global Methane Tracker 2026: Key findings](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/key-findings) IEA, 2026
4. [A National Estimate of Methane Leakage from Pipeline Mains in Natural Gas Local Distribution Systems (Weller, Hamburg and von Fischer), Environmental Science and Technology 54, 8958-8967](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c00437) American Chemical Society, 2020
5. [Study finds natural gas leaks in transmission pipelines that exceed EPA estimates](https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/study-finds-natural-gas-leaks-in-transmission-pipelines-that-exceed-epa-estimates) Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2025

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/correlation/index.md)
- [How it works](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/explain/index.md)
- [Efficiency and losses](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/efficiency/index.md)
- [Technology advances](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/advances/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/valuechain/index.md)
- [Geopolitics and regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/geopolitics/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/economics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_pipelines/links/index.md)