How to oxidize atmospheric CH(4)?--A challenge for the future.
Methane is an active Greenhouse effect gas whose concentration will likely increase in the future. The possible destabilisation of CH4 clathrates (hydrates) due to anthropogenic climate warming, and the resulting outgasing of methane, could lead to a major increase of the global Greenhouse effect, with dramatic consequences for Humanity. For these reasons, the study of possible countermeasures should be actively considered. Here, we suggest taking advantage of the thermodynamic instability of CH4 in air, and search for ways to oxidize it.
Chazelas
Bruno
B
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS, bat 121, Univ. Paris-Sud, F-91405 Orsay, France. bruno.chazelas@ias.u-psud.fr
Léger
Alain
A
Ollivier
Marc
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D008697:Methane / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008697:Methane