Understanding the Impact of Indirect Greenhouse Gases on Global Warming

GHGs directly trap heat and increase global warming but there is another concept that is becoming alarmingly serious, the indirect GHGs which do not trap heat themselves but contribute to global warming through their own chemical transformations, influencing the atmospheric lifetime of other greenhouse gases, and affecting the absorptive characteristics of the atmosphere such as affecting cloud formation (United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Inventory” ES-2). Some are grouped as follows

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) react in the atmosphere, forming tropospheric ozone.

Carbon monoxide (CO) reacts in the atmosphere, forming carbon dioxide.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) form methane and water vapour.
But some cases indirect GHGs have a more positive effect than negative effects. Nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide form aerosols that increase cloud formation. This possibly cools down the climate more than it warms it.
Hydrogen is an upcoming threat as an indirect GHG.

Explanation is as follows. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) act as indirect greenhouse gases by producing the tropospheric greenhouse gas 'ozone' via photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Like tropospheric ozone, NOx gases also affect the global greenhouse gas budget through their effect on the atmospheric abundance of hydroxyl (OH) radicals (Satein,2009). However there is an opposite role also played by this entity. The breakdown of NOx gases gives rise to increased OH abundance and so helps to reduce the lifetimes of greenhouse gases like methane (http://www.ghgonline.org/othernox.htm). Sources of NOx include fossil fuel burning, biomass burning and emission from soils.

Methane and other gaseous organic compounds are collectively known as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. In greenhouse gas assessments, methane is addressed separately, as it is the most significant VOC, and VOCs refer to the other compounds. The abbreviation NMVOC (Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds) is also commonly used.

VOCs have a direct effect by absorbing heat radiation from the ground, but their indirect contribution is more significant. They react with hydroxyl radicals (OH-) in the air, forming tropospheric ozone, which is a greenhouse gas. When they reach the stratosphere, they react with OH-, forming water vapour, which is a greenhouse gas. VOCs are also converted to methane. (https://www.genano.com/infobase/greenhouse-gases-and-their-harmful-effects)

Hydrogen is considered an indirect greenhouse gas because, it interacts with airborne molecules called hydroxyl radicals to prolong the lifetime of atmospheric methane — a highly potent greenhouse gas — and increase the production of ozone, another greenhouse gas.

Hence we must monitor these Indirect GHGs to account for the total Global Warming Potential. Detection of such gases must be made mandatory along with the routine parameters so that better mitigation measures can be taken.

MSK SCOPE

MSK monitors indirect indirect GHGs as follows:

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Hydrogen (H2)
Methane (CH4)
Ethane (C2H6)
Acetylene (C2H2)
Ethylene (C2H4)
Propylene (C3H6)
Propane (C3H8)
Total Hydrocarbons C4+
Acetone (C3H6O)
Ozone (03)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Ammonia (NH3)
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Chlorine (Cl2)
Total strong acid HCl + NO3
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Dust
Water (H2O)

By monitoring these gases, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of their impact on global warming and implement effective strategies to mitigate their emissions.

Compiled by Dr. Chitralekha Sengupta
Contributed by Mitra S.K. Environmental Testing Services (Division) and Mitra S.K. Laboratory Services

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Testimonial

Mitra S.K. have added value to our business process by effective inspection, strict quality control and timely response. It is a pleasant experience to work with “Team Mitra S.K.”. We hope the same service level will continue in the future too....

Sirsendu Mukherjee

Mitra SK Inspection Gulf LLC has been appointed by us and the services provided by them has been up to the mark and as per our expectations....

Ajay Mathur

Amar Singh Gohil

The Inspection services provided by Mitra S. K. Inspection Gulf has been prompt and accurate and has been in the line with our expectations....

Naser Bustami

We would like to express our high appreciation of the business association our company had with Mitra S. K. as a testing and inspection house for their quality of service, good documentation and reporting during the job ....

R. Jeyakumar

Tulus Situmeang

Their job was excellent and showed Mitra S.K. differential from others....

Geraldo Pimenta

Konstantin Gertsen

We’ve been pleased with the improvement we have seen in CIQ results, and Mitra S.K’s reports have certainly helped us to resolve any disputes with our customers in a more timely manner….....

Brian Mcdonald

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