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Methane (US: / ˈ m ɛ θ eɪ n / METH-ayn, UK: / ˈ m iː θ eɪ n / MEE-thayn) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH 4 (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas.
Methane's GWP 20 of 85 means that a ton of CH 4 emitted into the atmosphere creates approximately 85 times the atmospheric warming as a ton of CO 2 over a period of 20 years. [23] On a 100-year timescale, methane's GWP 100 is in the range of 28–34. Methane emissions are important as reducing them can buy time to tackle carbon emissions. [24] [25]
More than 70% of atmospheric methane comes from biogenic sources. Methane levels have risen gradually since the onset of the industrial era, [13] from ~700 ppb in 1750 to ~1775 ppb in 2005. [10] Methane can be removed from the atmosphere through a reaction of the photochemically produced hydroxyl free radical (OH).
Methane (CH 4) concentrations in the atmosphere measured by the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) at stations around the world. Values are given as pollution free monthly mean mole fractions in parts-per-billion. [1] Atmospheric methane is the methane present in Earth's atmosphere. [2]
Global methane emissions have risen faster than ever over the last 5 years, with at least two-thirds of annual methane emissions coming from human activities.
If methane is detected (by using a spectrometer for example) this may indicate that life is, or recently was, present. This was debated [25] when methane was discovered in the Martian atmosphere by M.J. Mumma of NASA's Goddard Flight Center, and verified by the Mars Express Orbiter (2004) [26] and in Titan's atmosphere by the Huygens probe ...
Methane can travel directly up from the soil into the atmosphere using this transport system. [38] The direct "shunt" created by the aerenchyma allows for methane to bypass oxidation by oxygen that is also transported by the plants to their roots.
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