Browsing by Subject "methane clathrates"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Access status: Open Access ,
Zagrożenia dla środowiska wynikające z eksploatacji klatratów metanu - studium oceny oddziaływania na środowisko
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2011) Rabajczyk, Anna
Methane clathrates, also known as methane hydrates, occur in permafrost regions as well as below marine sediments, in particular on continental slopes. These compounds are stable only under specific physico-chemical circumstances and they simultaneously provide the living conditions for specific specialised organisms. In consequence, plans for gas hydrate resource exploitation have provoked much heated debate. On the one hand, methane clathrates offer an opportunity for obtention of large amounts of »green fuel«, an alternative to crude oil, traditional coal or natural gas. On the other hand, this breeds understandable anxiety as for the environment in terms of dangerous changes to water ecosystems and consequences thereof, or the possibility of uncontrolled release of large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which would threaten the climate and life on Earth. In view of the above, discussion is needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of marine sediment exploitation, with focus on environmental cost and change, both at the stage of extraction and upon works completion. Understanding the scope of interference into the water ecosystem structure together with the consequences for the environment makes it possible to conduct environmentally sustainable works as well as limiting negative environmental impact.