Open AccessClimate change and greenhouse gases
Author(s) -
Ledley Tamara S.,
Sundquist Eric T.,
Schwartz Stephen E.,
Hall Dorothy K.,
Fellows Jack D.,
Killeen Timothy L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/99eo00325
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , greenhouse gas , greenhouse effect , atmospheric sciences , water vapor , environmental science , carbon dioxide , ozone , greenhouse , earth (classical element) , infrared , atmosphere of earth , climate change , chemistry , global warming , meteorology , physics , geology , optics , astronomy , oceanography , organic chemistry , horticulture , biology
Infrared (IR) active gases, principally water vapor (H 2O ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and ozone (O 3 ), naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere, absorb thermal IR radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. The atmosphere is warmed by this mechanism and, in turn, emits IR radiation, with a significant portion of this energy acting to warm the surface and the lower atmosphere. As a consequence the average surface air temperature of the Earth is about 30°C higher than it would be without atmospheric absorption and reradiation of IR energy [ Kellogg , 1996; Peixoto and Oort , 1992; Henderson‐Sellers and Robinson, 1986]. This phenomenon is popularly known as the “greenhouse effect,” and the IR active gases responsible for the effect are likewise referred to as “greenhouse gases.” The rapid increase in concentrations of greenhouse gases since the industrial period began has given rise to concern over potential resultant climate changes.