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Methane is a common gas made up of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms, found in the universe and on Earth. It has both good and bad properties, being valued for its energy-producing capabilities but also potentially wreaking havoc on ecosystems. Wetlands and oceans are the main sources of natural methane, while human sources include fuel burning and cattle ranching. Methane is considered a potent greenhouse gas and its emissions have doubled since the industrial revolution, potentially contributing to global warming. It is used as an energy source for power generation, automobiles, and NASA is evaluating its use as spacecraft fuel.
Methane, CH4, is a chemical compound made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. It is one of the most common gases in the universe, as well as on Earth. While valued for its energy-producing capabilities, methane also has the ability to potentially wreak havoc on Earth’s fragile ecosystems. Therefore, gas has both good and bad properties.
This gas is a type of alkane, which are compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms in varying numbers. In fact, methane is the simplest form of alkane. Despite the odors some might be tempted to associate with gas, it is odorless and colorless. Its simplicity may be partly responsible for its proliferation in many different places and environments, and many life forms produce some amount of methane.
Wetlands and oceans are where most of the Earth’s natural methane is produced. Therefore, the gas is sometimes called swamp gas. About 40% of the world’s methane is produced in these areas. However, most of the rest comes from human sources, such as fuel burning and cattle ranching.
Interestingly, some plants and animals produce methane through aerobic processes and others not, studies have shown. In fact, variation can be found even within species. For example, it has been reported that 1/3 of people can produce methane, but the rest cannot. There is no universally accepted explanation for this.
Methane used as energy mainly comes in the form of natural gas. It is extracted from the earth’s crust from huge natural reserves called natural gas fields.
Once extracted, it can be transported, by container or pipeline, to other areas of the globe.
Although methane, by itself, is considered a harmless gas, scientists have listed it as a very potent greenhouse gas and could play a major role in global warming. Given this consideration, many are looking for ways to limit its emission. These emissions have doubled since the industrial revolution more than 100 years ago, and many scientists believe there is a direct correlation between the increase and global temperatures.
In addition to natural gas-fired power generation stations, there are other uses for methane as an energy source. It is currently used to power some automobiles, and NASA is evaluating its use as a spacecraft fuel. If the technology can be developed, it is envisioned that gas could be harvested from other places in the solar system to provide such vehicles with enough fuel to travel far greater distances than they might otherwise be able to travel.
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