The role of atmospheric chemistry in climate change

D. J. Wuebbles, K. E. Grant, P. S. Connell, J. E. Penner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The combined direct radative effects from other trace gases could be as large as those estimated for CO2. Many of these gases also have indirect effects on climate through their chemical interactions with other radiatively important atmospheric constituents. For example, within the troposphere, emissions of CH4, CO, and NOx may increase concentrations of ozone, an important radiatively active gas. These emissions may also affect concentrations of hydroxyl (OH), which, while not radiatively important, has an important impact on tropospheric chemistry and on the concentrations of long-lived gases reaching the stratosphere. In the stratosphere, dissociation of CH4, N2O, and the CFCs can lead to changes in the ozone distribution. Oxidation of increasing CH4 concentrations would increase stratosphere concentrations of radiatively important water vapor. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-28
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Air and Waste Management Association
Volume39
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • General Environmental Science
  • Pollution
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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