Question
Methane hydrates have special crystal structure of water, where methane gas molecules are trapped. Choose the correct option(s) from the following
Methane hydrates are crystalline structures where methane gas is trapped within a lattice of water ice. These hydrates are significant due to their abundance and potential as an energy resource, but they also carry environmental risks. Let's analyze the provided options:
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Methane hydrates exist in abundance near the ocean bed, where the pressure is high enough for their existence.
This statement is correct. Methane hydrates are typically found under the seabed at continental margins, where high pressure from the overlying water stabilizes these compounds. -
Methane hydrates exist in abundance in the polar regions, where the temperature is low enough for their existence.
While methane hydrates can be found in polar regions, their abundance is primarily noted beneath the ocean floor, where pressure conditions are more consistent globally. Thus, this statement is partially correct but not the primary condition explained in most scientific discussions. -
Methane hydrates can be a huge source of energy, but can accelerate global warming considerably if the entrapped methane is released to the atmosphere.
This statement is correct. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, approximately 25 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2. Therefore, releasing methane from hydrates could contribute significantly to global warming. -
Methane hydrates can be a huge source of energy, but difficult to exploit commercially.
This statement is correct. Although methane hydrates contain vast amounts of potential energy, technological and economic challenges make it difficult to extract and utilize them commercially.
Based on the analysis, the correct options are:
- Methane hydrates exist in abundance near the ocean bed, where the pressure is high enough for their existence.
- Methane hydrates can be a huge source of energy, but can accelerate global warming considerably if the entrapped methane is released to the atmosphere.
- Methane hydrates can be a huge source of energy, but difficult to exploit commercially.
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Important Questions from Global Warming
- Which one of the following statements is correct regarding Global warming?
The correct ascending order of the following greenhouse gases with respect to their global warming potential relative to $CO_2$ in the time horizon of 100 years is
- An agricultural land can support energy crops yield to produce 7000 L of bioethanol per hectare and energy content of bioethanol is 21 MJ/L. This bioethanol displaces fossil-based petrol.
The CO$_2$ offset potential of land used for growing energy crops as a bioethanol feedstock is ______ $\times 10^6$ g of CO$_2$ /hectare (rounded off to one decimal place).
Consider CO$_2$ footprints of 10 g and 80 g of CO$_2$ per MJ for bioethanol and petrol, respectively.
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