In a recent study conducted by researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) have found that the methane hydrate deposits are located in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin are of biogenic origin.
- The study was conducted as a part of the project titled ‘Elucidating the community structure of methanogenic archaea in methane hydrate’.
- Methane is a clean and economical fuel. It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane. Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide.
- According to Dr. Vikram B Lanjekar, the Principal Investigator of the study, “the massive methane hydrate deposits of biogenic origin in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin and near the coast of Andaman and Mahanadi make it necessary to study the associated methanogenic community.”
- Methane hydrate is formed when hydrogen-bonded water and methane gas come into contact at high pressures and low temperatures in oceans.
- Methane hydrate is often called “fiery ice” as it looks like an ice, and starts burning when an open flame is brought close to it.
(Source: PIB)
