Atmospheric methane - Revision history

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	[[Category:Greenhouse gases]]		[[Category:Greenhouse gases]]
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			== Atmospheric_methane ==
			<gallery>
			File:CH4_mm.png\|CH4 mm
			File:1979-_Radiative_forcing_-_climate_change_-_global_warming_-_EPA_NOAA.svg\|1979 Radiative forcing climate change global warming EPA NOAA
			File:Physical_Drivers_of_climate_change.svg\|Physical Drivers of climate change
			File:The_Global_Methane_Budget_2008–2017.png\|The Global Methane Budget 2008–2017
			File:Mlo_ch4_ts_obs_03437.png\|Mlo ch4 ts obs 03437
			File:Ch4_gr_gl.png\|Ch4 gr gl
			File:AtmosphericMethane.png\|Atmospheric Methane
			File:Arora_2018_methane_lifetime.png\|Arora 2018 methane lifetime
			</gallery>

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2024-11-28T15:29:29Z

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# Atmospheric Methane

Atmospheric methane is a potent greenhouse gas with significant implications for climate change and environmental science. It is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change.

== Sources of Atmospheric Methane ==
Methane is released into the atmosphere from both natural and anthropogenic sources.

=== Natural Sources ===
* **Wetlands**: Wetlands are the largest natural source of methane, where anaerobic decomposition of organic material occurs.
* **Termites**: Termites produce methane during the digestion of cellulose.
* **Oceans**: Methane is released from the ocean floor and through biological processes in the water column.
* **Permafrost**: Thawing permafrost releases methane trapped in ice.

=== Anthropogenic Sources ===
* **Agriculture**: Livestock digestion and rice paddies are significant sources of methane emissions.
* **Fossil Fuels**: Extraction and burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, release methane.
* **Landfills**: Decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane.
* **Biomass Burning**: Burning of organic matter releases methane.

== Atmospheric Chemistry and Lifetime ==
Methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of about 9-12 years. It is removed from the atmosphere primarily through reaction with hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the troposphere, forming water vapor and carbon dioxide.

== Impact on Climate ==
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential approximately 28-36 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. It absorbs infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect.

== Mitigation Strategies ==
Efforts to reduce atmospheric methane include:
* **Improving agricultural practices**: Enhancing feed efficiency and manure management in livestock.
* **Capturing landfill gas**: Utilizing methane from landfills as an energy source.
* **Reducing fossil fuel emissions**: Implementing technologies to capture methane during extraction and transport.
* **Restoring wetlands**: Managing water levels to reduce methane emissions.

== Also see ==
* [[Greenhouse gas]]
* [[Climate change]]
* [[Carbon dioxide]]
* [[Global warming potential]]
* [[Methane clathrate]]

{{Climate change}}
{{Greenhouse gases}}

[[Category:Atmospheric sciences]]
[[Category:Greenhouse gases]]
[[Category:Climate change]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:42, 28 November 2024
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	# Atmospheric Methane		Atmospheric Methane

	Atmospheric methane is a potent greenhouse gas with significant implications for climate change and environmental science. It is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change.		Atmospheric methane is a potent greenhouse gas with significant implications for climate change and environmental science. It is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change.
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	=== Natural Sources ===		=== Natural Sources ===
	* Wetlands: Wetlands are the largest natural source of methane, where anaerobic decomposition of organic material occurs.		* '''Wetlands''': Wetlands are the largest natural source of methane, where anaerobic decomposition of organic material occurs.
	* Termites: Termites produce methane during the digestion of cellulose.		* '''Termites''': Termites produce methane during the digestion of cellulose.
	* Oceans: Methane is released from the ocean floor and through biological processes in the water column.		* '''Oceans''': Methane is released from the ocean floor and through biological processes in the water column.
	* Permafrost: Thawing permafrost releases methane trapped in ice.		* '''Permafrost''': Thawing permafrost releases methane trapped in ice.

	=== Anthropogenic Sources ===		=== Anthropogenic Sources ===
	* Agriculture: Livestock digestion and rice paddies are significant sources of methane emissions.		* '''Agriculture''': Livestock digestion and rice paddies are significant sources of methane emissions.
	* Fossil Fuels: Extraction and burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, release methane.		* '''Fossil Fuels''': Extraction and burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, release methane.
	* Landfills: Decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane.		* '''Landfills''': Decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane.
	* Biomass Burning: Burning of organic matter releases methane.		* '''Biomass Burning''': Burning of organic matter releases methane.

	== Atmospheric Chemistry and Lifetime ==		== Atmospheric Chemistry and Lifetime ==
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	== Mitigation Strategies ==		== Mitigation Strategies ==
	Efforts to reduce atmospheric methane include:		Efforts to reduce atmospheric methane include:
	* Improving agricultural practices: Enhancing feed efficiency and manure management in livestock.		* '''Improving agricultural practices''': Enhancing feed efficiency and manure management in livestock.
	* Capturing landfill gas: Utilizing methane from landfills as an energy source.		* '''Capturing landfill gas''': Utilizing methane from landfills as an energy source.
	* Reducing fossil fuel emissions: Implementing technologies to capture methane during extraction and transport.		* '''Reducing fossil fuel emissions''': Implementing technologies to capture methane during extraction and transport.
	* Restoring wetlands: Managing water levels to reduce methane emissions.		* '''Restoring wetlands''': Managing water levels to reduce methane emissions.

	== Also see ==		== Also see ==