As waste decomposes in an organic system, it emits

As waste decomposes in an organic system, it emits

• A. carbon monoxide
• B. methane
• C. carbon dioxide
• D. hydrogen sulfide

Answer: (A)

Gas emissions from waste decomposition depend on whether oxygen is present. In anaerobic conditions, which are common in many organic waste systems, microorganisms break down matter without oxygen and produce methane as a primary gas. This methane is a hallmark of anaerobic digestion and is often captured as biogas. If oxygen is available, the main emission tends to be carbon dioxide rather than methane. Hydrogen sulfide can also form in anaerobic environments where sulfur compounds are degraded, but carbon monoxide is not a typical product of standard biological decomposition in organic waste. Therefore, methane is the best choice for what is typically emitted in an organic, anaerobic waste-decomposition system.

Gas emissions from waste decomposition depend on whether oxygen is present. In anaerobic conditions, which are common in many organic waste systems, microorganisms break down matter without oxygen and produce methane as a primary gas. This methane is a hallmark of anaerobic digestion and is often captured as biogas. If oxygen is available, the main emission tends to be carbon dioxide rather than methane. Hydrogen sulfide can also form in anaerobic environments where sulfur compounds are degraded, but carbon monoxide is not a typical product of standard biological decomposition in organic waste. Therefore, methane is the best choice for what is typically emitted in an organic, anaerobic waste-decomposition system.