Evaluation of Significant Anthropogenic Sources of Radiatively Important TraceGases

摘要

The report is an initial evaluation of significant anthropogenic sources ofradiatively important trace gases. Emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities--including fossil fuel combustion, industrial/agricultural activities, and transportation--contribute to the increasing concentrations of radiatively important trace gases (RITGs) in Earth's atmosphere. Trace gases of concern include CO2, N2O, CH4, chlorofluorocarbons, and O3. NOx and nonmethane hydrocarbons, while not themselves radiatively active, can contribute to the buildup of RITGs. The U.S. EPA has conducted several research projects characterizing emissions from specific sources of RITGs, the purpose of which was to rank sources of RITGs according to their potential impacts on radiative