Methane is made two different ways in the ocean. The first is by thermogenesis, which is where methane is produced on the seafloor when organic material is broken down by heat. The other is Biogenic, which is where microorganisms eat organic material and leave behind methane as a waste product. ("Methane in the Ocean") There are large amounts of frozen Methane in the Arctic Ocean. ("Methane Emissions from the Arctic Ocean: Image of the Day") Methanogenic bacteria survive in anaerobic areas deep in the ocean. This methane is frozen until it is brought to the surface and released. A rapid release of frozen methane in large quantities has been thought as being connected to the major extinction during the Permian-Triassic era. This has been thought to have killed off about 96% of all marine species. ("Methane in the Ocean") Methane hydrate is made when water molecules form a barrier around methane molecules. Methane can be stored like this for very long times, until temperature or pressure changes. ("Methane")
Methane has been in water for a very long time. Very little research has been done about the health effects of Methane in the water supply. Methane gets in the water …show more content…
When ocean temperatures rise, these methane hydrate become unstable, and they release the methane contained in them back into the ocean. This methane can reach the surface and evaporate into the atmosphere. When methane is released into the atmosphere, it contributes to global warming. As this methane builds up in the atmosphere, it causes the Earth to warm. When the Earth starts to warm, it can cause major problems, including polar ice caps to melt. If this happens many animals will lose their habitats. Warmer weather will change the climate, causing some animals to migrate north to cooler areas, such as foxes and butterflies. . If all the ice caps melt, it can cause the sea level to rise. It can cause stronger storms, like