Natural methane sources

Wetland methane emissions dominate the natural sources of methane. Global emissions from natural sources total around 250 million tonnes each year. Natural emissions of methane can be greatly affected by climate change and the stability of methane hydrates, with increasing global temperatures, is a cause of much concern for some climate scientists.

 

 

Man-made methane sources

Energy related and ruminant methane dominate man-made methane sources. Global man-made methane emissions are estimated to total about 320 million tonnes each year.

 

 

 

 

Methane sinks

Tropospheric destruction of methane by hydroxyl (OH) radicals is the dominant sink for atmospheric methane. With stratospheric destruction and oxidation by soil bacteria, the total sink for methane is estimated to be between 500 and 600 million tonnes of methane each year.