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♤ Methane (CH4) is emitted by natural sources such as wetlands, as well as human activities such as leakage from natural gas systems and the raising of livestock.
♤ Natural processes in soil and chemical reactions in the atmosphere help remove CH4 from the atmosphere.
Source
Natural sources:
♤ Wetlands are the largest source, emitting CH4 from bacteria that decompose organic materials in the absence of oxygen.
♤ Smaller sources include termites, oceans, sediments, volcanoes, and wildfires.
Human induced:
♤ Agriculture: Domestic livestock such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels produce large amounts of CH4 as part of their normal digestive process. Also, when animals’ manure is stored or managed in lagoons or holding tanks, CH4 is produced. Because humans raise these animals for food, the emissions are considered human-related. Globally, the Agriculture sector is the primary source of CH4 emissions
♤ Industry: Methane is the primary component of natural gas. Some amount of CH4 is emitted to the atmosphere during the production, processing, storage, transmission, and distribution of crude oil & natural
gas.
♤ Waste from Homes and Businesses: Methane is generated in landfills as waste decomposes and from the treatment of wastewater.
Do you know?
Polar bears are the largest living carnivorous quadruped (animals with four legs).