Methane hydrate. Computer model of the structure of methane hydrate,also known as methane ice or methane clathrate. It consists of a molecule of methane,which is composed of carbon (green) and hydrogen (white),surrounded by a cage of water molecules,which are composed of oxygen (red) and hydrogen. The water molecules are joined by hydrogen bonds (dotted lines). This whole structure is known as a clathrate. Methane hydrate is found in the very cold and high pressure environments under the arctic permafrost and in marine sediments,where it forms a crystalline solid. It is thought there is approximately 3000 times the volume of methane in hydrates than in the atmosphere,making it a huge potential energy source. However,methane is a greenhouse gas and so any release would contribute towards global warming | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Evans, Dr. Tim |
Taille de l’image : | 4591 px × 3591 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
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