Termites Produce Methane
WouterTermites produce about half a microgram of methane a day, but they aren’t the only animals that do it. Fossil fuels and other sources are also major methane emitters.
Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, and it traps 34 times as much heat over a century as CO2. However, the amount of methane produced by termites varies greatly among species.
Termites are well-known as huge producers of methane, especially in tropical forests. Termites prefer high, stable temperatures. They can also have a significant impact on global methane levels.
Scientists have been using termites’ gut microbes to convert coal to methane. They also use the digestive tracts of termites to digest organic material in anaerobic conditions.
Several studies have investigated termite methane production, but the results aren’t conclusive. In fact, the number of reported values ranges from 2-15 Tg CH4 yr-1.
Researchers used aluminum framed boxes to monitor the amount of methane released by termites. The rate of methane release is related to the size of the mound, the activity of the termites, and the species. It was found that the rate of methane emission decreased as the amount of oxygen in the air was reduced.
The emission rate of CH4 from individual mounds was directly proportional to the amount of CO2 being emitted. This suggests that the bulk of the methane is oxidized in the soil. The level of methane emissions from termite mounds is very variable, varying greatly between wet and dry seasons.
