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Data Sources |
ECV Products and Requirements |
Carbon Dioxide, Methane & Other Greenhouse Gases
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The atmospheric abundance of carbon dioxide (CO2), the dominant human-produced greenhouse gas, has increased by about 50% since pre-industrial times due to the proliferation of fossil fuel combustion. Methane (CH4) is also a strong greenhouse gas; its atmospheric abundance has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era because of human activities. Other significant greenhouse gases include nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). | |
| Domain: | Atmosphere | |
| Subdomain: | Atmospheric Composition | |
| Scientific Area: | Carbon cycle and other GHGs | |
| ECV Steward: | Paolo Laj, Dale Hurst | |
| ECV Product: | Tropospheric CO2 column; Tropospheric CO2; Tropospheric CH4 column; Tropospheric CH4; Stratospheric CH4 | |
Atmospheric CO2 at Mauna Loa
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Figure: Monthly mean atmospheric carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii Source: Data are reported as a dry mole fraction defined as the number of molecules of CO2 divided by the number of molecules of dry air multiplied by one million (ppm). |
