What is greenhouse gases | Sources, Effects and list

The question of what is greenhouse gases must have come in your mind too because the word greenhouse gas is also very much discussed with the word Global Warming. There is a very strong debate on this subject in our schools, colleges, conferences, and seminars. We get information about various measures to reduce this gas on various media platforms.

What is greenhouse gases

Today, in the 21st century, the world is suffering a heavy beating of global warming, the main factor of which is greenhouse gases. This gas is increasing day and day in the atmosphere of our earth that has made it difficult for scientists to find effective ways to reduce it. All the developed countries of the world together are running many programs to reduce this gas.

Worldwide, production of greenhouse gases is a matter of serious concern. After all, what is greenhouse gases and why is it really a problem? What is the current solution to control this? You will find answers to too many such questions in this article. So, let's first know what is greenhouse gases.

What is greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are a group of chemical compounds that are able to trap heat (radiation) in the atmosphere, causing these gases to overheat the Earth's surface.

These are the gases that are the root cause of the greenhouse effect. Increasing the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect that leads to Global Warming and consequently climate change.

Greenhouse gases allow shortwave radiation to pass freely into the atmosphere where it is partially absorbed by the Earth's surface.

The ability of these gases to trap heat causes a greenhouse effect. The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more heat is on the earth. This is why the gases that produce this effect are collectively known as greenhouse gases.

What is greenhouse gases definition?

Any gas that has the property of absorbing the infrared radiation (net heat energy) emitted from the surface of the Earth and returning it to the surface of the Earth is called greenhouse gas. For example carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor, etc.

See Also: What is Science?

List of greenhouse gases

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid wastes, trees, and wood products, and certain chemical reactions (such as the manufacture of cement).

The Carbon dioxide is removed (sequestered) from the atmosphere when plants are absorbed as part of the organic carbon cycle.

2. Methane (CH₄):

Methane is emitted during the production and transportation of coal, natural gas and oil.

3. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O):

Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.

4. Fluorinated Gas:

Hydro-fluorocarbons, per-fluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and synthetic nitrogen tri-fluoride are all extremely powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from various industrial processes.

Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as an alternative to stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (such as chlorofluorocarbons, hydro-chlorofluorocarbons, and Helen).

These gases are typically emitted in small amounts, but since they are powerful greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as high global warming potential gases (high GWP gases).

5. Water vapor

Atmospheric concentration of water vapor is highly variable and largely depends on temperature.

Water vapor is a highly active component of the climate system that rapidly reacts to changes in evaporation conditions, soluble in rain or snow or returning to the atmosphere.

Sources of greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases originate from many sources. Some gases, such as methane, are produced through agricultural methods, which include everything from the feces of livestock to dead bodies. Gases such as CO2 are generated largely by natural processes such as respiration and the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

Deforestation is also another cause of CO₂ release. When trees are cut down for wood or cultivation land, they release carbon that is normally stored for photosynthesis. According to the 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment, this process releases about one billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year.

Large industries and steel factories have also been involved in greenhouse gas emissions. According to NASA, since the Industrial Revolution began, atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen by about 38 percent and methane levels by 148 percent, and much of this growth has occurred in the last 50 years.

Effects of Green House Gases

1. Global warming

Although greenhouse gas levels have been rising since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, their rise in the last few decades has been particularly rapid.

Total greenhouse gas emissions have increased by about 80% since 1970, which is equivalent to an atmospheric concentration of 473 ppm CO₂e with a radioactive forcing of 283mW / m ^ 2.

With the addition of daily levels of greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect has now increased to the point where the Earth's atmosphere itself has received too much heat. The heat trapped by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has increased the surface temperature by 0.75 ° C (1.4 ° F) in the last 100 years.

Global warming is damaging the environment in many ways such as: - making the land barren, increasing the melting of snow and ice, increasing the sea level, etc.

2. ocean acidification

Carbon dioxide has made the world's oceans 30% more acidic. The ocean acts as a sink for this gas and absorbs about a quarter of human carbon dioxide emissions, creating carbonic acids when they react with seawater, so when carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise Is, acidification or acidification of oceans increases.

3. Smoke and ozone pollution

Over the last century, ozone concentration has increased 2 times due to increased methane and nitrogen oxides mainly due to human emissions.

At the ground level, ozone is an air pollutant that is a major constituent of smoke that is dangerous to both humans and plants.

Long-term ozone exposure has also been considered to reduce life expectancy. Ozone has been considered responsible for cardiopulmonary death worldwide.

Recent studies estimate that global yields of major staple crops such as soybean, corn, and wheat are currently declining by 2–15%.

4. Ozone layer depletion

Nitrous oxide damages the ozone layer and is now the most important ozone-depleting substance and the biggest cause of the depletion of the ozone layer.

Conclusion: Greenhouse gases are very harmful to us and our earth, as it is the biggest factor in global warming. For this reason, the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere is increasing day by day which is not good for life

In the end

In today's post, you have learned what is greenhouse gases, as well as various Sources, Effects and list of greenhouse gases, definition, etc. Hope you all like this article. You are requested; please share this article so that it can reach as many people as possible. We look forward to your support so that I can write more new articles.

Thank you!