Scientists have discovered methane lakes on Earth

Scientists have discovered methane lakes on Earth



Underground lakes formed in Alaska. Their appearance is associated with the melting of ice underground due to global warming. These reservoirs are continuously emitting methane, which is dangerous for the environment. Phys.org writes about the new phenomenon.

The lakes are called thermokarst. Methane was formed there due to years of microbial activity and is now released into the water in the form of bubbles. Scientists were able to determine the presence of gas in a simple way. They filled a bottle with water and then set fire to the liquid. A flame erupted. According to the researchers, this indicates that the water contains precisely flammable methane.

Scientists fear that such lakes pose a danger to both people and nature. A person next to a thermokarst reservoir can get poisoned. Methane is emitted from lakes even in winter. In frosts, it accumulates under the ice, and when it melts, it breaks up. As a result, a huge amount of gas enters the atmosphere in a short period of time.



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