MethanE
Methane is a molecule made up of four hydrogen molecules surrounding a carbon molecule. Methane is nearly invisible but can have profound effects on the environment. For starters, if produced underground, methane can last for up to millions of years. Above ground, it can still take at least fifteen years to fully break down. Similar to carbon dioxide, methane traps heat but at a much more alarming rate. Methane does produce less negatives than does coal, however. Though methane can be used for good, such as with generating energy and fueling vehicles, methane can release carbon dioxide into the air and induce climate change. As a result, the Obama administration implemented the Gas Reduction Rule in order to minimize the leaking of natural gases such as methane into the atmosphere.
Methane is generally found in earth's crust and atmosphere. Methane is up to 25 times as more effective at trapping heat than is carbon dioxide! oil spills such as those recently occurring in China release major amounts of methane into the ocean. High traces of methane have been found in the Gulf of Mexico which has a detrimental impact on the organisms there.
https://www.edf.org/methane-other-important-greenhouse-gas
https://www.mnn.com/eco-glossary/methane
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/stories/what-is-methane-and-why-should-you-care
Methane is generally found in earth's crust and atmosphere. Methane is up to 25 times as more effective at trapping heat than is carbon dioxide! oil spills such as those recently occurring in China release major amounts of methane into the ocean. High traces of methane have been found in the Gulf of Mexico which has a detrimental impact on the organisms there.
https://www.edf.org/methane-other-important-greenhouse-gas
https://www.mnn.com/eco-glossary/methane
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/stories/what-is-methane-and-why-should-you-care
Due to its ability to speed up climate change, methane is making headlines once again. As of January 2018, a dangerous form of methane, methane hydrate, has been detected. Methane hydrates being released has previously led to firms of extinction, although there is much debate about how detrimental the impact may be. The melting of permafrost, especially in areas such as the Arctic has lead to the release of methane in forms of bubbles. The submerged permafrost causes a release of methane into the depths of the ocean which has stimulated the growth of plankton. The plankton consume much carbon dioxide so it is possible this release could have rather positive effects. In addition, it appears the deeper the waters, the less methane is actually detected. It could be the work of microbes within the ocean which convert methane into carbon dioxide, leading to a plethora of food for plankton.
arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/microbes-chomp-on-seafloor-methane-before-it-reaches-the-atmosphere/
arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/microbes-chomp-on-seafloor-methane-before-it-reaches-the-atmosphere/