Large amounts of methane gas hydrates are buried underneath the sea floor. These deposits are a result of the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter buried underneath the ocean floor in the sediments. This organic matter is primarily phytoplankton that have sunk to the bottom and got buried in the sea floor over millions of years. Thus, this process has been going on for millions of years and methane deposits are being continually formed. At high pressure and low temperature, this methane reacts with water to form methane hydrates. Scientists have discovered large deposits of methane hydrates.
Given the energy crisis the world has faced for the last few decades and the risk of running out of our fossil fuel deposits soon, methane hydrates are a promising source of fuel for a very long time. Although the extraction of this fuel and consequent risks (such as climate change, etc.) are still a matter of study, methane hydrates buried underneath the sea floor have the potential of serving as the primary energy source to the world (or at least major parts of it).
Hope this helps.
No comments:
Post a Comment