THE ROLE OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM COAL MINING IN GLOBAL WARMING

10th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference - SGEM2010, www.sgem.org, SGEM2010 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN 10: 954-91818-1-2, June 20-26, 2010, Vol. 1, 583-588 pp

ABSTRACT

Increasing of greenhouse gas emissions in atmosphere has caused the raises of global
temperatures. Between the greenhouse gases, methane is the second highest contributor
to greenhouse gases. Main activities causing methane emissions are enteric
fermentation, oil and natural gas systems, coal mining, manure management, rice
cultivation and land filling. Methane is released from surface and underground coal
mines as a result of production activities. Underground coal mines are responsible for
majority of methane emissions from coal mining. In this study, methane emissions from
coal mining are discussed. As a result of the study it is determined that coal mining is
the sixth largest sources of the methane emissions and responsible for 6 percent of
anthropogenic methane emissions.

Keywords: Global Warming, Methane, Coal Mining