Consider the following statements:1. Methane is produced by the breakd...
- Methane is gas that is found in small quantities in Earth's atmosphere. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. It is flammable, and is used as a fuel worldwide.
- Methane is produced by the breakdown or decay of organic material and can be introduced into the atmosphere by either natural processes–such as the decay of plant material in wetlands, the seepage of gas from underground deposits or the digestion of food by cattle–or human activities–such as oil and gas production, rice farming or waste management. Hence, statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is not correct.
- Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon and doesn’t last as long in the atmosphere before it breaks down. This makes it a critical target for reducing global warming more quickly while simultaneously working to reduce other greenhouse gases. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
- It is responsible for creating ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant.
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Consider the following statements:1. Methane is produced by the breakd...
Explanation:
1. Methane is produced by the breakdown or decay of organic material:
This statement is correct. Methane, which is a greenhouse gas, is produced through the breakdown or decay of organic material. It is commonly emitted during the decomposition of waste in landfills, as well as from the digestive processes of animals, including livestock.
2. Methane can be introduced into the atmosphere only through natural processes:
This statement is incorrect. While natural processes such as the decay of organic material and the digestive processes of animals do contribute to methane emissions, there are also anthropogenic sources of methane. Human activities such as the extraction and production of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, also release significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Additionally, methane can be emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that methane can be introduced into the atmosphere only through natural processes.
3. Methane is more potent greenhouse gas than carbon and stays in the atmosphere for a longer time:
This statement is also incorrect. Methane is indeed a potent greenhouse gas, with a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. However, carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for much longer than methane. Methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of about 12 years before it is broken down into carbon dioxide and water vapor. In contrast, carbon dioxide can persist in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years. Therefore, carbon dioxide has a greater long-term impact on climate change compared to methane.
In conclusion, statement 2 and statement 3 are not correct. Methane can be introduced into the atmosphere through both natural and anthropogenic sources, and it does not stay in the atmosphere for a longer time compared to carbon dioxide.
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