Which gas is considered a ‘Trace Gas’ despite its massive impact on the greenhouse effect?
Methane (CH4) is a trace gas because it exists in very small concentrations (about 1.9 parts per million). However, it is a potent greenhouse gas, roughly 25 to 30 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a century. Its concentration is rising due to agriculture, landfill waste and the thawing of permafrost. ANSWER: (C) Methane
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Although it represents a tiny fraction of the atmosphere compared to Nitrogen or Oxygen, methane’s molecular structure allows it to absorb infrared radiation extremely efficiently. Most methane is produced by “methanogenic” bacteria in oxygen-poor environments like wetlands or the digestive systems of livestock. While methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO2 (about 12 years), its immediate warming potential is much higher. Scientists are particularly concerned about “methane hydrates” trapped in the ocean floor and Arctic permafrost, as their release could trigger a rapid and significant increase in global temperatures.
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