What is the single source of most of the atmosphere's greenhouse gas?

Question

i know carbon dioxide makes up about 76% but would that be the source?

Answer 1

Blowhard politicians.

Answer 2

Water vapor from the ocean. bodies of water and the land surface is the greatest source of greenhouse gas, around 94% Carbon Dioxide comprises about 3 1/2 %, and other gasses such as methane, nitriogen, ozone make up the rest. 95% of carbon dioxide comes from decomposing biomass, and animal respiration, volcanic activity, and outgassing from the ocean. About 5% (9 billion metric tons) is the direct result of human activity.

Answer 3

The Greenhouse Effect
Joseph Fourier initially discovered what is now called "the greenhouse effect" in 1824, although he mistakenly believed that interplanetary space was a major source of radiation. Arrhenius, a Swedish chemist, was the first to quantify the theory in 1896, arguing that variations in trace components of the atmosphere - primarily carbon dioxide - could greatly influence the heat budget of the Earth.

It is natural to assume that the air is heated by the Sun, but that is not, technically, correct. The Earth is heated by the Sun, and the air is then heated by the Earth. The Earth receives an enormous amount of solar radiation as the Sun's rays reach the Earth's atmosphere in the form of short-wave radiation. This radiation passes through the atmosphere where much of it is absorbed as it heats the Earth's surface. The Earth's surface, heated by the sun's energy, re-radiates this heat back into space as long-wave, or infrared radiation.

Some of this energy is absorbed by naturally-occurring trace gases in the atmosphere, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone, and - as a result - the temperature of the atmosphere increases. These energy-absorbing trace gases are known as the greenhouse gases, and this phenomenon in which the Earth's atmosphere absorbs solar energy re-radiated from the solid Earth is known as the greenhouse effect.



The issue that we are now facing is that human activity - particularly in the burning of fossil fuels and in the clearing of land - is increasing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases. This additional increase is called the 'enhanced greenhouse effect,' but it is also referred to as 'global warming.' Although human activity has little direct impact on the concentration of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas, it does impact concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

The generation of various halocarbons, which are commonly used as solvents, pesticides, adhesives, and in a variety of industries, can also impact climate. Although they are best known as destroyers of ozone, many are also powerful greenhouse gases. Most halocarbons are produced as a direct result of man's activity, with no known natural sources. However, under the Montreal Protocol, emissions of halocarbons are now tightly controlled and the concentrations of many of the dual 'ozone depleting and global warming inducing' gases are now beginning to decline.

The degree of the greenhouse effect is dependent primarily on the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, the Earth's climate is complex and is influenced by factors other than greenhouse gas concentrations, making it difficult to link specific climate characteristics to a single cause. Therefore, controversy exists as to the magnitude as well as to the danger of global warming induced by greenhouse gases. While many scientists support efforts to slow - or even reverse - the build up of greenhouse gases, others believe that changes in the climate that we are experiencing are part of a natural, long-term cycle.

The global greenhouse effect is a natural aspect of the Earth's environment, crucial for the maintenance of life on Earth. Without this effect - and some of the global warming that comes with it - the Earth would be a much colder planet, inhospitable to life as we know it.

Answer 4

that is not the only source
carbon dioxide makes the most of it but the gases produced by factories play more vital role in green house effect

Answer 5

Water vapor is a much more common and MUCH more potent greenhouse gas. It is affected by human activity and a lot of other things. It is always local and likely to disappear down a storm sewer without notice. It's like watching a box of spiders. Watching carbon dioxide is much easier.

Answer 6

My pet Boston Terrior.

Answer 7

Combustion (oxidation) of petrochemicals, wood, and coal....are the principle sources; but there are others, too.

Answer 8

yes carbondioxide is responsible for global warming.

Answer 9

CO2. That's right.

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas