Greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A Greenhouse gas (pronunciation: /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs/) is a type of gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
Etymology
The term "greenhouse gas" is derived from the greenhouse effect, which itself is named for the way greenhouses work to warm the environment inside them. The term was first used in the context of atmospheric science in the mid-20th century.
Types of Greenhouse Gases
- Water vapor - The most abundant greenhouse gas, but importantly, it acts as a feedback to the climate. Water vapor increases as the Earth's atmosphere warms, but so does the possibility of clouds and precipitation.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) - A minor but very important component of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released through natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil fuels.
- Methane - A hydrocarbon gas produced both through natural processes and human activities, including the decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture, and especially rice cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion and manure management associated with domestic livestock.
- Nitrous oxide - A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.
- Ozone - A greenhouse gas that is continually produced and destroyed in the Earth's atmosphere. It is not emitted directly by human activities, but is formed by sunlight acting on nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
Related Terms
- Climate change - A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional and global climates. Greenhouse gases are the main drivers of climate change.
- Global warming - An aspect of climate change, showing a continuous increase in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system due to the greenhouse effect caused by greenhouse gases.
- Carbon footprint - The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Greenhouse gas
- Wikipedia's article - Greenhouse gas
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