One of earth's most abundant gases is Methane. Methane can be found in different forms but is best known as a gas. Methane is colorless and odorless and is less dense than air. It melts at -184 degrees Celsius and it boils at -161 degrees Celsius. .
One way it is formed is by the decomposition of plant and animal waste/matter in swampy or marshy areas (mainly because of the water). When this occurs, marsh gas is released. This marsh gas is better known as methane. Methane is also naturally found as the firedamp of coalmines, which is how it was discovered. .
Methane can also be made in labs by heating sodium acetate and sodium hydroxide or by combining aluminum carbide and water. These, however, are only a few ways it can be made in labs. Sometimes it is even used to make hydrogen because methane has twice the amount of hydrogen molecules as water. Other uses include carbonizing steel and used for fuel. The fuel methane produces burns clean and gives off carbon dioxide and water. Though methane doesn't seem very harmful, it does have drawbacks. .
Methane gas is also one of the many gases that contribute to the green house effect eventually causing global warming. Because of the carbon dioxide it gives off, it adds to the great cycle of the depletion of the ozone layer. Also like other atmospheric gases such as nitrogen and oxygen, when breathed in, it may cause flatulence. As funny as that sounds, a large amount of gas build up can be quite painful. Methane is non-toxic but it does reduce the concentration of oxygen in the air causing suffocation. .
Another big issue of methane gas is the chemical explosions is can cause. Methane is combustible and reacts violently when combined with chlorine or fluorine. There are plenty of people who work as methane injury lawyers because of the serious damage these explosions can cause. .
The natural gas methane has both negative and positive effects.
