Beyond CO/sub 2/: The other greenhouse gases
Most of the concern about potential effects of greenhouse gases on the future state of climate has been related to the growing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. Concentrations of a number of other radiatively important atmospheric trace constituents are also changing, many at rates much larger than the current rate of change in CO/sub 2/ concentrations. For example, the methane concentration is increasing one percent per year, while the concentrations of several chlorofluorocarbons are increasing by 4--5 percent per year. In each case, the increasing concentrations of these gases, which are emitted at the earth's surface, is thought to be related primarily to human activities. The combined effects of these other greenhouse gases on climate could be cumulatively as large as those estimated for CO/sub 2/. Besides the direct radiative effects that these gases can have on climate, there are also potential indirect effects on climate through their chemical interactions with other greenhouse gases, such as ozone and water vapor. Evidence is mounting that such indirect effects are occurring. This paper describes what is known regarding these changing greenhouse gas concentrations and their budgets, and examines the uncertainties affecting their influence on climate. It also attempts to establish criteria for determining their potential effects on climate in relation to CO/sub 2/. 13 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5987987
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-99883; CONF-890692-8; ON: DE89011893
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 82. Air and Waste Management Association annual meeting and exhibition, Anaheim, CA, USA, 25 Jun 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
MODIFICATIONS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
EVALUATION
CARBON DIOXIDE
METHANE
NITROUS OXIDE
OZONE
WATER VAPOR
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VAPORS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)