ghg and carbon pie. atmospheric gases gas symbol content nitrogen n2 78.084% oxygen o2 20.947% argon...
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GHG and Carbon Pie
Atmospheric GasesGas Symbol ContentNitrogen N2 78.084%
Oxygen O2 20.947%Argon Ar 0.934%Carbon Dioxide CO2 0.033%Neon Ne 18.20 parts per millionHelium He 5.20 parts per millionKrypton Kr 1.10 parts per millionSulfur dioxide SO2 1.00 parts per millionMethane CH4 2.00 parts per millionHydrogen H2 0.50 parts per millionNitrous Oxide N2O 0.50 parts per millionXenon Xe 0.09 parts per millionOzone O3 0.07 parts per millionNitrogen dioxide NO2 0.02 parts per millionIodine I2 0.01 parts per millionCarbon monoxide CO traceAmmonia NH3 trace
Carbon Dioxide CO2 0.039% (390 parts per million)Methane CH4 2.00 parts per millionNitrous Oxide N2O 0.50 parts per millionOzone O3 0.07 parts per million
Carbon Dioxide
Most important GHG.
60% of the 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.
Removed by photosynthesis and dissolving in water/oceans.
Added by respiration, decomposition, volcanic eruptions.
• Burning fossil fuels for transportation, electricity, buildings, industry
• Deforestation (decreased photosynthesis plus release of stored carbon)
• Increased by 30%.
• Will double from pre-industrial levels by 2045-2100.
• Lasts 100 years
Carbon Dioxide
The World's Carbon ReservoirsReservoir Size (Gt C)Atmosphere 750Forests 610Soils 1580Surface ocean 1020Deep ocean 38,100Fossil fuels Coal 4,000 Oil 500 Natural gas 500
Total fossil fuel 5,000
21 times warming effect of CO2.
20% of 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.
increased 2.5x. Lasts 11-12 years.
Large reserves under permafrost.
Methane
Methane
Anthropogenic - 320 million tonnes per year
Natural sources - 250 million tonnes per year
Third most significant GHG
Is 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2.
16% increase
Sources: nitrogen-based fertilizers, burning wood and fossil fuels, soils, oceans
Lasts 150 years
Nitrous oxide
• 3-7% of 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.
• In Stratosphere, blocks harmful UV rays. In Troposphere, absorbs IR rays, serious health problems
•Unevenly distributed,constantly changing. Time in atmosphere: 30 minutes to 22 days
Ozone
thousands of metric tons
Countries by carbon dioxide emission
Energy - Electricity and Heat- 24.6% of global GHG emissions
Energy sources
Sources of Electricity in the US
DOE
Coal- about half of US electricity
Worldwide - 6.2 billion tons consumed annually
75% for electricity
In US, 90% for electricity
35% efficiency: 65% lost as heat
Current reserves - 900 gigatons, 164 years at current production
Mining:Waste: uranium, heavy metalInterferes with groundwater and water tablesDamages surface water - streams, riversPhysical destruction of land
Burning:Source of background radiation exposureLargest source of CO2Acid rain
Natural Gas
About 20% of US
electricity
More efficient
CO2 - 30% less than oil, 45% less than coal
“Cleaner” - fewer emissions
Expensive to transport
Most reserves in Russia and Middle East
Nuclear Power~20% of US electricity
No CO2 emissions
Toxic Waste
Uranium mining
Expensive
Potential consequences from accident
Hydroelectric~7% of US electricity
No CO2 emissions
No waste
Renewable
Disruptions to rivers/populations/water quality
Puget Sound Energy
About 42% Hydroelectric
Transmission and distribution loss ~ 7.5%
Electricity: Where does it go?
Transportation in US~30% of CO2 emmissions
Globally > 500 million vehicles 10 times 1950Recent growth in Asia, but also Europe
Industry
10% of global energy use
US Manufacturing fuel consumption
Land Use Change
20% of CO2 emissions
Lost of forest - 13 million hectares lost each year.6 million primary forest lost
How big is that? -- Washington is >18 million hectares
Desertification
Agriculture 13-14%
Nitrogen fertilizer production and use
Waste management
Livestock - especially grain-fed
Rice paddies
Irrigation
Waste