UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 19
Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate'?
- Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
- Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
- Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
Methane hydrates are methane trapped in ice-like water lattices in permafrost and deep-sea sediments. Warming can destabilise them, and released atmospheric methane is oxidised over roughly a decade.
Statement / Pair Analysis:
1 (Correct): Rising temperatures may destabilise hydrate deposits and release methane.
2 (Correct): Major hydrate stores occur beneath seabeds and within Arctic permafrost regions.
3 (Correct): Atmospheric methane is chemically oxidised mainly into carbon dioxide and water over approximately a decade.
Option-wise Analysis:
A (Incorrect): It omits true item 3 (Atmospheric methane is chemically oxidised mainly into carbon dioxide and water over approximately…).
B (Incorrect): It omits true item 1 (Rising temperatures may destabilise hydrate deposits and release methane).
C (Incorrect): It omits true item 2 (Major hydrate stores occur beneath seabeds and within Arctic permafrost regions).
D (Correct): Includes all and only the true statements/pairs.