Schubert, C. J. (2011). Methane, Origin. In J. Reitner & V. Thiel (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Encyclopedia of Geobiology (pp. 578-586).
Methane is a colorless and odorless gas, with the chemical formula CH4. Due to its radiative force, it is a strong greenhouse gas and contributes to the warming of the earth. It is formed in the environment by methanogenesis. The main natural sources are wetlands and termites (30% of total emissions), while anthropogenic sources include rice fields, cattle farming, and energy production (70% of total emissions).