Which one of the following is the major environmental problem associated with the production of coal-bed methane?
GATE XE - 2026,
Answer: A
The major problem is contamination of water.
Coal-bed methane is held in coal seams by water pressure, so to release the gas large volumes of groundwater must be pumped out. This 'produced water' is often saline and may contain sodium bicarbonate, metals and other contaminants; its disposal can pollute surface water and soil, and pumping lowers local water tables.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides arise when fuels are burnt, which is common to all fossil fuels and not specific to the production of coal-bed methane.
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