Environmental Effects Of Greenhouse Gases

Introduction

Greenhouse is a term used for denoting heat captured by specific gases present in lower layers of atmosphere. These heavy gases trap the incoming solar radiation and bring about rise in temperature (due to accumulation of heat). Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and water vapor are involved in producing this phenomenon. Although the presence of these gases is essential in the development of plants (in traditional nurseries or greenhouses) yet, if they’re present in large quantities, they can cause imbalance in environment.

This article deals with information on greenhouse gases and their effects on environment.

History

 
The first reference of greenhouse phenomenon dates back to mid 18th century when Jean Baptiste Fourier stated in 1827 that certain gases were involved in keeping our earth surface warmer. This discovery was followed by the predictions of G.S. Callendar in 1938. He said that doubling of Carbon dioxide amounts can lead to a global rise of temperature by 2 °C. This causes warming and melting of polar ice caps at steady pace.
Based on these predictions, different meteorologists and scientists worked since 1970-1990 and concluded that specific human activities and irrational use of natural resources contribute to greenhouse effect.

Sources:
Most of these greenhouse gases are eliminated by industries, burning fuels, burning of plastic or carbon-rich waste products, forest fires, decomposition of waste and atmospheric phenomenon which is prevalent in marshes and wetlands. Irrational human activities are largely responsible for it.

Features

Impacts On Environment:
As the concentration of greenhouse gases starts increasing in the atmosphere, they trap sola heat (phenomenon known as “greenhouse effect”). This leads to rise in surface temperature, the process termed as “global warming”. When these gases continue to cycle through atmospheric layers for several years, they can cause temperature differences at the polar ice caps. Sudden rise in temperature at poles can cause melting of gases and rise in sea level. This procedure is referred to as “coastal flooding”. Scientists predict that by the end of 2080, the sea levels will rise by 33%, causing the formation of coastal wetlands and shirking of sea coasts.

Other than this, rise of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide causes air pollution, water pollution (if the gases mix with ponds and lake waters) and radiation pollution. Lastly, during precipitation or rainfall, acidic gases are dissolved in rainfall thus producing acidic rain water. This process is known as “acid rain”, which is harmful for living beings as well as monuments.

Effect On Flora And Fauna:
Agriculture is adversely affected by these gases because they indirectly influence soil properties, aeration and evaporation thereby producing droughts. Plants are not able to intake minerals from soil and micro-fauna is destroyed. Polluting gases cause respiratory disorders, smog pollution, asthma, skin allergies and headache.

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