ghg and carbon pie. atmospheric gases gas symbol content nitrogen n2 78.084% oxygen o2 20.947% argon...

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