Dhanbad: The Department of Applied Geophysics at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad hosted an insightful lecture by Prof. Uma Shankar from the Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), on “Gas Hydrates and Their Implications for Global Changes: Energy, Environment, and Climate.”
Addressing a diverse audience of faculty, researchers, and students, Prof. Shankar discussed the crucial role of gas hydrates, or methane hydrates, in energy, environmental, and climate dynamics. He highlighted their potential as a significant energy resource, with methane reserves in these hydrates surpassing all known fossil fuel reserves combined. However, he also cautioned about the risks involved in their extraction, stressing the potential environmental hazards and the destabilization of ecosystems if not carefully managed.
Prof. Shankar explained that gas hydrates form under specific conditions in deep-sea sediments and permafrost regions and are detectable on seismic profiles through an anomaly called the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR). He emphasized the urgent need for responsible management and further research into these deposits to ensure their safe utilization without worsening global warming or disrupting marine ecosystems.
While gas hydrates hold promise as a future energy source, Prof. Shankar stressed the importance of balancing energy production with climate protection. He concluded that further research is critical in understanding the environmental implications of gas hydrate extraction, which could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global energy resources.
The lecture, attended by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s faculty, research scholars, and students, was presided over by Prof. Sanjit Kumar Pal, Head of the Department of Applied Geophysics.
