Methane cycle

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The methane cycle describes the production, movement, oxidation, and storage of methane in the atmosphere, oceans, soils, sediments, wetlands, and Earth's interior. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and an important energy source for some microorganisms.

Methanogenic microorganisms produce methane under oxygen-poor conditions in wetlands, rice fields, sediments, landfills, and the digestive systems of ruminants and termites. Geological sources include fossil-fuel deposits, seeps, hydrates, and volcanic or hydrothermal systems.

Methane is removed mainly by reaction with hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere and by microbial oxidation in soils, sediments, and water. These sinks convert methane into carbon dioxide and water.

Human activities have increased methane emissions through fossil-fuel extraction, agriculture, waste, and biomass burning. Changes in wetlands, permafrost, oceans, and atmospheric chemistry can alter the balance of the cycle.

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• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane_cycle