Which substance is primarily associated with the risk of anaerobic digestion?

The substance that is primarily associated with the risk of anaerobic digestion is methane. During anaerobic digestion, organic matter is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as a byproduct. This biogas primarily consists of methane (typically 50-75%) and carbon dioxide, along with trace amounts of other gases.

Methane is significant in this context because it is highly flammable and poses explosion risks if allowed to accumulate in confined spaces. Additionally, methane is a potent greenhouse gas—over 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period—making its management essential in waste treatments and energy production scenarios where anaerobic digestion is utilized.

While ozone, carbon dioxide, and chlorine have roles in different environmental and biological processes, they are not directly linked to the risks associated with anaerobic digestion in the same manner as methane, which presents both operational and environmental challenges during and after the digestion process.