What are the greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are components of the earth’s atmosphere. They have physicochemical properties that allow them to retain solar energy in the Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation from the planet and are therefore considered to have a direct impact on the greenhouse effect.
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Greenhouse gases occur in the atmosphere both as a result of natural processes and in connection with human activity. Greenhouse gases affect the greenhouse effect in different ways and have an impact:
- Absorption rate; how much the substance absorbs solar radiation
- The lifetime of this substance in the atmosphere.
These factors also determine the global warming potential (GWP), in other words, they determine the potential for creating the greenhouse effect. The determination of this indicator depends on the amount of heat absorbed by a given gas of a certain weight. It is then compared with the amount of heat that a substance absorbs through the same mass of carbon dioxide. The GWP for carbon dioxide is 1 and from it the GWP for other substances is calculated.
Gases impacting the greenhouse effect:
- Steam – Steam has the greatest impact on the greenhouse effect. Its content in the earth’s atmosphere is very diverse and ranges from 40 to 95Depending on the cycle of water circulation in the environment (evaporation, condensation, sublimation and resubmission). Steam is 95% responsible for the greenhouse effect, and its presence in the atmosphere is almost completely independent of human activity.
- Carbon dioxide – The presence of carbon dioxide in the air is a natural phenomenon because, among other things, it is released when breathing and taken during photosynthesis. Unfortunately, since the industrial revolution, the concentration of this gas in the atmosphere has increased from less than 10% to about 30%. This is happening mainly in highly developed countries, because carbon dioxide is the result of burning large quantities of fossil fuels.
- Methane – is another greenhouse gas, which is produced both by natural processes and by human activity. It is produced naturally by anaerobic processes, but is also formed in termites, swamps and oceans. Methane retains heat much more than carbon dioxide, but its duration is shorter so it is less present in the atmosphere.
- Fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFCs) – Are mainly produced in industrial processes. They do not arise naturally. Human activity contributes to their formation. They are a serious threat to the environment because they have a high capacity to bind heat and remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years.
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Some of the greenhouse gases have been present in the Earth’s atmosphere for millions of years and are a natural component of it. They have enabled the Earth’s climatic conditions in which life has developed. However, as a result of human activity, non-natural gases have also appeared in the atmosphere, which makes the greenhouse effect worse.
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Solar radiation (UV – shortwave) reaches the Earth in some parts. In most cases it is absorbed or reflected by the upper atmosphere. UV radiation mainly reaches the earth’s surface, warming it up. The Earth emits heat in the form of infrared waves, which are then absorbed by the greenhouse gases and thus are not released into space, but spreads in different directions, causing the greenhouse effect.
More about greenhouse gases and climat change: https://sustrainy.erasmus.site/results-1/