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Q34·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2019

Methane hydrate deposits climate impact

EnvironmentClimate change and greenhouse gasesStatement-basedMediumStatic

Question

Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate'?

1Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
3Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1.

    Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.

  2. 2.

    Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.

  3. 3.

    Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Options

a

1 and 2 only

b

2 and 3 only

c

1 and 3 only

d

1, 2 and 3

Answer

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Rising temperatures can destabilize methane hydrate deposits, causing methane release, which is a positive feedback loop in climate change. Statement 2 is correct: Methane hydrates are found extensively in Arctic permafrost regions and on seafloors worldwide, representing a vast potential source of methane. Statement 3 is correct: Atmospheric methane has a relatively short lifetime (approximately 10-12 years) after which it oxidizes to CO2 and water vapor. All three statements accurately describe aspects of methane hydrate deposits and their climate significance. > Methane hydrate: climate risk, widespread deposits, atmospheric oxidation confirmed. Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2019

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q34

Subject

Environment

Sub-topic

Climate change and greenhouse gases

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

NCERT Environmental Science

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