Reactive Halogens and Their Role in Extending Methane Lifetime and Amplifying Radiative Forcing: A 21st-Century Perspective

Methane is a highly abundant greenhouse gas present after carbon dioxide. Its lifetime has been impacted by changes in the atmosphere and climate, with observed trends deviating from past patterns. Sources of methane emission are both anthropogenic and natural, while the main sink of methane emission is the oxidation of the hydroxyl group present in the of troposphere. This article reviews sources of methane emission, the trends deviating by 17% from 1990 to 2020, and explains how oxidative and non-oxidative catalytic halogenation of methane can cause emission, and how to reduce methane emission from agricultural and industrial settings. Studies have indicated that reactive halogens can affect the global methane lifetime, extending it by up to 9%. It has been observed that a 0.1 ppm increase in atmospheric methane has a comparable effect on climate warming as a 4.5 ppm increase in carbon dioxide. The concentrations of ozone and methane in the atmosphere can affect the radiative forces, leading to changes in temperature and energy balance. The research suggests that in the future, methane emissions are expected to remain active. The reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is likely to be accomplished by 2030 through the “Methane Pledge” project, which aims to address the waste that contributes to methane emissions. Landfills, agricultural activities, industry, and wetlands are all key sources of methane emissions.

Reactive Halogens and Their Role in Extending Methane Lifetime and Amplifying Radiative Forcing: A 21st-Century Perspective Keywords:

Methane , radiative forcing , methane pledge , catalytic halogenation , anthropogenic sources