Which specific environmental condition found in waterlogged soils of rice paddies and wetlands directly facilitates the significant microbial production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) Anaerobic (oxygen-deplete) conditions
Explanation:
· In waterlogged soils of rice paddies and wetlands, oxygen cannot easily penetrate.
· These anaerobic conditions favor methanogenic archaea (microbes) that break down organic matter, producing methane (CH₄) as a by-product.
· Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a warming potential ~28 times greater than CO₂ over 100 years.
Information Booster:
· Rice cultivation contributes to ~10% of global methane emissions.
· Methane is mainly produced in wetlands, rice paddies, ruminant animals, and landfills.
· Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique in rice fields reduces methane emissions.
· Anaerobic conditions also promote production of nitrous oxide (N₂O) in some cases.
· IPCC identifies methane reduction as crucial for climate change mitigation.
Additional Knowledge:
· Option (a) Frequent soil tilling: Aerates soil, reduces methane production.
· Option (b) High levels of dissolved oxygen: Opposite of anaerobic; suppresses methane production.
· Option (c) Low soil temperatures: Reduce microbial activity, lowering methane emissions.