The Human Impacts Database

A collection of useful numbers for quantifying the impacts of the human presence on Earth.

CH4 emissions from natural sources

Atmospheric & Biogeochemical CyclesGreenhouse Gases

This quantity is a single measurement of the quantity at a given point in time (2017).

Value:

This is equivalent to...

(1.7 - 2.8) × 1011 kg C / yr

(0.23 - 0.37) Gt CH4 / yr

(0.17 - 0.28) Gt CH4 / yr
HuID: 56405
Relevant Year(s): 2017
Summary: Value represents an estimate of the total amount of methane (CH4) emitted by natural (non-anthropogenic) sources on an annual basis. These emissions are driven primarily by methanogenic microorganisms thriving in anoxic environments, such as swamps, lake beds and river beds.
Method: See Table 3 of the source for details and uncertainty. Two estimation strategies are employed, resulting in different values. Top-down estimation of the value from inverting observed atmospheric CH4 produced an estimate of 0.232 Gt CH4 / yr. Bottom-up estimation of the value by estimating the size and output of natural sources directly produced a larger value of 0.367 Gt CH4 / yr.
Source: Saunois, M. et al. The global methane budget 2000-2017. Earth system science data (2020)
Dataset: Global methane emissions (table_3_processed.csv)
global resolution
Original Data License: CC-BY 4.0
Added By: nsarai