2007-12-28 06:08:47 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
In addition to its role as a greenhouse gas, methane is an important part of atmospheric chemistry. Methane is thought to regulate the oxidative properties of the troposphere through its scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. Too much hydroxyl and you get too much ozone, which is bad. Too little hydroxyl and then there is too much methane getting out of the troposphere into the stratosphere. Methane is responsible for most of the water vapor in the stratosphere, and some of the CO2. Methane diffuses into the stratosphere from the troposphere, then reacts with ozone to form water vapor and CO2.
2007-12-28 07:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by gcnp58 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Methane is a greenhouse gas and is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere.
2007-12-28 06:16:36 · answer #2 · answered by scaraj_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can act as a greenhouse gas. It is a powerful one, though it is short lived in the atmosphere. It only lasts about 12 years before it breaks down to H2O and CO2.
If you do not know what a greehouse gas is, look it up.
2007-12-28 06:15:44 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋