Which one of the following is the main natural source of Methane?

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Wetlands

Belching by cattle

Leakage from pipelines

Burning of wood

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2020

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Natural wetlands are the largest natural source of methane emissions globally. Methane is produced by anaerobic bacteria in waterlogged soils and sediments where organic matter decomposes in the absence of oxygen.

Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in waterlogged environments like swamps, marshes, and bogs is the primary natural process generating methane.

Other significant natural sources include termites, oceans, geological seeps, and wildfires. Anthropogenic sources like livestock (belching), rice cultivation, landfills, and fossil fuel production (leakage from pipelines is an example) are also major contributors to the total atmospheric methane concentration, often exceeding natural sources in terms of total emissions. However, the question asks for the *main natural* source.

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