白蚁：大气中甲烷、二氧化碳和分子氢的一个潜在巨大来源。

Termites: a potentially large source of atmospheric methane, carbon dioxide, and molecular hydrogen.

作者信息

Zimmerman P R, Greenberg J P, Wandiga S O, Crutzen P J

出版信息

Science. 1982 Nov 5;218(4572):563-5. doi: 10.1126/science.218.4572.563.

DOI:10.1126/science.218.4572.563

PMID:17842060

Abstract

Termites may emit large quantities of methane, carbon dioxide, and molecular hydrogen into the atmosphere. Global annual emissions calculated from laboratory measurements could reach 1.5 x 10(14) grams of methane and 5 x 10(16) grams of carbon dioxide. As much as 2 x 10(14) grams of molecular hydrogen may also be produced. Field measurements of methane emissions from two termite nests in Guatemala corroborated the laboratory results. The largest emissions should occur in tropical areas disturbed by human activities.

摘要

白蚁可能会向大气中排放大量的甲烷、二氧化碳和分子氢。根据实验室测量计算出的全球年排放量可能达到1.5×10¹⁴克甲烷和5×10¹⁶克二氧化碳。还可能产生多达2×10¹⁴克的分子氢。对危地马拉两个白蚁巢穴甲烷排放的实地测量证实了实验室结果。最大的排放量应该出现在受人类活动干扰的热带地区。