Greenhouse gases list
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Comprehensive List of Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are critical components of the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change. This article provides a detailed overview of the primary greenhouse gases, their sources, and their impact on the environment.
Primary Greenhouse Gases: Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Ozone
Water Vapor
Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and accounts for the largest portion of the greenhouse effect, contributing between 85% to 90% of the total effect. It absorbs and emits infrared radiation at many wavelengths, making it a significant player in the Earth's energy balance .
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is a nontoxic, colorless, and odorless gas that, despite its relatively low concentration in the atmosphere (0.040%), plays a crucial role in the greenhouse effect. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly increased CO2 levels, contributing about 72% of the enhanced greenhouse effect .
Methane (CH4)
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential much higher than CO2. It is released from various sources, including agriculture, waste management, and fossil fuel extraction. Methane contributes approximately 21% to the enhanced greenhouse effect .
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Nitrous oxide, another significant greenhouse gas, is primarily emitted from agricultural activities and industrial processes. It has a global warming potential far greater than CO2 and contributes about 7% to the enhanced greenhouse effect .
Ozone (O3)
Ozone in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) acts as a greenhouse gas by absorbing infrared radiation. It is formed by photochemical reactions involving pollutants from vehicle emissions and industrial activities .
Synthetic Greenhouse Gases: Fluorinated Gases
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), and Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3)
Fluorinated gases, also known as F-gases, are synthetic compounds with extremely high global warming potentials. These gases are used in various industrial applications, including refrigeration, electronics manufacturing, and metal processing. They are the most potent greenhouse gases, with some having a global warming potential up to 24,000 times that of CO2.
Impact of Greenhouse Gases on Climate Change
Contribution to Global Warming
The combined effect of greenhouse gases on climate change is substantial. While CO2 is the most significant contributor due to its high concentration and long atmospheric lifetime, other gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases have much higher per-molecule warming potentials. Together, these gases significantly enhance the greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming .
Agricultural Emissions
Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Practices such as livestock farming, rice paddies, and the use of synthetic fertilizers contribute to the emissions of these gases, making agriculture a critical area for mitigation efforts .
Conclusion
Understanding the various greenhouse gases and their sources is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate climate change. While CO2 remains the primary focus due to its prevalence and impact, addressing emissions of other potent greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases is equally important. Comprehensive and sustained interventions are necessary to reduce the overall greenhouse effect and combat global warming effectively.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic