Methane (CH4) is the third most abundant greenhouse gas, with roughly 6000 Tg present in the atmosphere (where 1 Tg = 1 million tonnes). If the net sink of methane is estimated as 500 Tg / year, then what is methane's residence time?

Question

Chemistry

Dylan Williams

2 February, 10:35

Methane (CH4) is the third most abundant greenhouse gas, with roughly 6000 Tg present in the atmosphere (where 1 Tg = 1 million tonnes). If the net sink of methane is estimated as 500 Tg / year, then what is methane's residence time?

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Randy Howe · Answer 1

Answer: 12 years.

Explanation:

Simple Three Rule

If (CH4) sinks as 500 Tg ... 1 year

And there is 6000 Tg ... X? years

600*1:500 is 12 years.

Methane is removed from the atmosphere relatively quickly, compared to other greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. This may take 20 to 200 yeas to be removed.

Methane is produced by the fermentation that anaerobic bacteria cause in some crops and also located in the intestinal track of the cattle.

The greenhouse effect contributes to the global warming and methane is 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

As the global temperature rises, so does the activity of the bacteria, which leads to a vicious circle.