Methane

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-017103",
  "term": "Methane",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A colorless, nonpoisonous, flammable gas created by anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds. A major component of natural gas used in the home.\n\n2. A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 23 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The global warming potential (GWP) is from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC's) Third Assessment Report (TAR).\n\n3. A greenhouse gas that is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil or from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills and the raising of livestock. Although CO₂ is more prevalent in the atmosphere, methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat than CO₂ over a 100-year period. For more information, visit EPA's Methane Web site.\n\n4. A colorless, odorless greenhouse gas. It occurs both naturally and as a result of people's activities. Methane is produced by the decay of plants, animals, and waste, as well as other processes. It is also the main ingredient in natural gas.\n\n5. A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). For more information visit EPA's Methane site [https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html].\n\n6. A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 21. Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The atmospheric concentration of methane has been shown to be increasing at a rate of about 0.6 percent per year and the concentration of about 1.7 per million by volume (ppmv) is more than twice its pre-industrial value. However, the rate of increase of methane in the atmosphere may be stabilizing.\n\n7. CASRN74-82-8. An alkane hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas. Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion.\n\n8. Methane gas. If the decaying matter at the bottom of a marsh or pond is stirred, bubbles of methane rise to the surface, thus the name marsh gas.\n\n9. A colorless, odorless gas, the simplest parafin hydrocarbon, formula CH4. It is the principal constituent of natural gas and is also found associated with crude oil. Methane is a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere because it absorbs long-wavelength radiation from the Earth's surface.\n\n10. A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).\n\n11. CH4 is among the six greenhouse gases to be curbed under the Kyoto Protocol. Natural processes produce atmospheric CH4. but there are also substantial emissions from human activities such as landfills. livestock and livestock wastes. natural gas and petroleum systems. coalmines. rice fields. and wastewater treatment. CH4 has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of approximately 10 years. but its 100-year GWP is currently estimated to be approximately 23 times that of CO2.\n\n12. A colorless, odorless, flammable gaseous hydrocarbon that is a product of the decomposition of organic matter. Methane is a major greenhouse gas. Methane is also the principal component of natural gas.",
  "abbreviation": "CH₄",
  "synonyms": [
    "CH4"
  ],
  "subject": "Climate change",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Env; Terms of Environment",
    "Clean Energy Glossary",
    "Greening EPA Glossary",
    "Student's Guide to Global Climate Change",
    "Glossary of Climate Change Terms",
    "Greenhouse Gas Emissions",
    "Greenhouse Emissions Glossary",
    "IRS Coal Excise Tax - Appendix I, Glossary of Mining Terms",
    "USGS Energy Resources Program Energy Glossary & Acronym List",
    "NOAA Climate Program Office Glossary",
    "AgSTAR Handbook Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/methane/"
}