Greenhouse gas: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
m (1 revision imported)
(No difference)

Revision as of 18:22, 3 September 2015

Greenhouse gases or GHGs, refer to gases that, when present in the upper atmosphere, contribute to global climate change. The cause of this contribution is due to the absorption and re-emission of radiation within the infrared range.

Approximate contribution of greenhouse gases:[1]

  • 36-72% water vapor
  • 9-26% carbon dioxide
  • 7-16% other trace gases.

Global Warming Potential

main page

The global warming potential(GWP) of a gas is the relative capability for a gas to trap heat within the atmosphere. This measurement is done in comparison to an equal mass of carbon dioxide. Many restrictions and regulations placed on substances are due to high GWP values, as included in the Kyoto Protocol

Water Vapor

Water vapor is merely water (H20) in its gaseous form. It is very abundant in the atmosphere, and the most common of the greenhouse gases. Water Vapor is the most potent of the greenhouse gases due to the hydroxyl bonds in its chemical structure. Water vapor exists in the atmosphere in the form of moisture and clouds, and is a part of the water cycle as a precipitate creating rain. The GWP value for water vapor has yet to be calculated.

The most interesting attribute of water as a greenhouse gas is that it serves as a positive feedback mechanism for global warming. The warmer the world gets, the more water vapor there is in air, the more warming the water vapor causes. So, while water vapor is a bigger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, it responds to and amplifies climate change, rather driving climate change.

Carbon Dioxide

main page

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas, important to the carbon cycle for life and a byproduct of many forms of energy production. Carbon dioxide is primarily regulated by the consumption due to photosynthesis by plants to produce energy, and the respiration of animals in order to consume energy. Another major contribution of carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere is as a byproduct of combustion, forest fires and energy production both produce a substantial amount of carbon dioxide in the consumption of organic material. Due to its nature as the reference value for global warming potential, carbon dioxide has a GWP value of 1.[1]

Methane

main page

Methane (CH4) is a naturally occurring gas, making up 90% of natural gas. Although not in as high concentrations in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, methane has a GWP that is 29[1] times larger, meaning it is still a very potent greenhouse gas. Methane levels have risen significantly in recent years, a rise 2.5 times greater than the pre-industrial era. Methane is regulated by natural processes in the atmosphere involving water vapor and oxygen although human influence is capable of upsetting this regulation. About 3.5 billion years ago, prior to photosynthesis utilizing plants, the concentrations of methane were 1000 times higher than they are today. The introduction of oxygen consumption in the carbon cycle due to photosynthesis led to a significant reduction in methane, which at the time was produced by some of the first bacteria through the consumption of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Methane is produced naturally deep in the ground when organic plant and animal matter is compressed at high temperatures over thousands of years and is therefore considered a fossil fuel.

Nitrous Oxide

main page

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) commonly known as laughing gas due to it's use as an anaesthetic in surgery, is a naturally occurring gas often used in rocketry and racing to improve power output as an oxidizer. While in much lower concentrations than both carbon dioxide and methane, nitrous oxide has a GWP 298[1] greater than that of carbon dioxide. Although it is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect, nitrous oxide is also the primary regulator of ozone in the stratosphere. nitrous oxide reacts with oxygen to produce nitric oxide, which in turn reacts with ozone maintaining concentration balances. Nitrous oxide is also commonly used as an aerosol propellant for canisters filled with substances like whipped cream and as an inert gas when filling potato chips and other snacks to protect them in transit from compression. Nitrous oxide is produced naturally in the environment in soil by various organic chemical reactions.

Ozone

main page

Ozone (O3) is an allotrope (alternative form) of oxygen found in the upper atmosphere, and is vastly more unstable than diatomic oxygen found commonly at sea level. Ozone primarily exists in the upper atmosphere as it is mainly produced by the absorption of ultraviolet rays from the sun and breaks down in the lower atmosphere due to instability, this absorption of UV radiation is itself valuable as it protects the surface from the harmful rays. Another common source of ozone is from electrical discharge in the atmosphere due to lightning. Although the GWP value for ozone is between 918-1022, one of the highest values recorded, it is a short lived chemical species due to instability and therefore when considered over a 20 year horizon the GWP is valued at only 62-69[1]. Ozone concentrations measurable at ground level peak substantially higher in present day than in pre-industrial times, even in areas completely removed from industrial activity. Long term exposure to ground level ozone has shown to be dangerous, harming lung function, and has been linked to pre-mature death due to various respiratory diseases and heart attack.

CFCs

main page

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) is an organic compound containing carbon, fluorine, and chlorine which is produced as a volatile derivative of fossil fuels like methane. CFCs have been used as refrigerants, propellants, and solvents in production, although the production of CFCs has been phased out in recent years due to the Montreal Protocol. CFC production has been phased out and replaced by hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide due to its contribution to the depletion of the ozone, and effect as a greenhouse gas.

references