While Germany Is Headed for 80% Renewable Energy, We're Getting Left in the Dust

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Remember the Hindenberg? The principal source for hydrogen in the atmosphere is in the form of H2O. That can be split into Hydrogen and Oxygen but it requires a source of energy to drive that reaction. How else could you produce energy by combining methane and oxygen (CH4 + 2O2 = CO2 + 2H2O)! Methane, like H2 molecules, when exposed to O2, reacts to release the stored chemical energy by the process of oxidation. This occurs as individual, random reactions or, under certain conditions, as a chain reaction catalyzed in part by the energy being released. This is called 'fire'. Reactions are driven in the direction that leads to the lowest energy level and/or the least degree of organization (entropy). CO2 wins that contest over CH4 under any normal atmospheric conditions!

Not impressed with your high school level understanding of Chemistry.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

ethane is unstable enough that it does not persist long in the atmosphere where it has contact with O2. It is more potent as a greenhouse gas while it lasts but CO2 persists far longer and is therefore a greater contributor over the 'lifetime' of the molecule!

"long time" is relative, with a half-life of 12 years, a global warming potential over the next 20 years 72 times that of carbon dioxide, and increasing in atmospeheric concentration four time faster than carbon dioxide.

One fart can be more deadly than six dozen burps. Remember that next time you let one rip.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One fart can be more deadly than six dozen burps.

That's an interesting theory. I have held a theory for a long time: Anyone can fart. The art lies in really developing the accompanying aroma.

Edited November 28, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That's an interesting theory. I have held a theory for a long time: Anyone can fart. The art lies in really developing the accompanying aroma.

Hard boiled eggs and tofu are both excellent candidates, with boiled cabbage a close second. However, nothing smells as bad as vegan breath.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hard boiled eggs and tofu are both excellent candidates, with boiled cabbage a close second. However, nothing smells as bad as vegan breath.

[james&olya 1,121]

Methanogens exist in anaerobic enviroments. We are talking about the forest floor, not thousands of feet in the atmosphere.

But I AM talking about the atmosphere! The forest floor is not sealed off from the atmosphere and what happens on the forest floor is thus quite a transient stage overall! Methane can indeed be produced in a relatively anaerobic environment but as it gets released into the atmosphere it reacts further with the O2 there breaking down further into CO2 and H2O! These are the relatively stable end-products of the entire breakdown process. My point was that this end result produces exactly the same amount of CO2 in the end as it would if you burned the wood in the first place!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

But I AM talking about the atmosphere! The forest floor is not sealed off from the atmosphere and what happens on the forest floor is thus quite a transient stage overall! Methane can indeed be produced in a relatively anaerobic environment but as it gets released into the atmosphere it reacts further with the O2 there breaking down further into CO2 and H2O! These are the relatively stable end-products of the entire breakdown process. My point was that this end result produces exactly the same amount of CO2 in the end as it would if you burned the wood in the first place!

Yes, eventually any methane released into the atmosphere will eventually be oxidized into carbon dioxide predominately, with about half of the methane molecules released remaining after twelve years, and about a half of those remaining after 24 years, and so on. Unless the concentration of methane approaches that of free oxygen, you will not experience the rapid combustion you were alluding to in your high school explanation.