Release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The main gases that lead to the greenhouse effect. Where do greenhouse gases come from

Greenhouse gas is a mixture of several transparent atmospheric gases that practically do not transmit the thermal radiation of the Earth. The growth of their concentration leads to global and irreversible climate change. There are several types of major greenhouse gases. The concentration in the atmosphere of each of them affects the thermal effect in its own way.

Main types

There are several types gaseous substances related to the most significant greenhouse gases:

• water vapor;
• carbon dioxide;
• nitrous oxide;
• methane;
• freons;
• PFCs (perfluorocarbons);
• HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons);
• SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride).

About 30 leading to the greenhouse effect have been identified. Influence at thermal processes Earth substances have depending on the amount and strength of the impact on one molecule. According to the nature of their occurrence in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are divided into natural and anthropogenic.

water vapor

A common greenhouse gas is its amount in the Earth's atmosphere that exceeds the concentration of carbon dioxide. Water vapor is of natural origin: external factors are not able to influence its increase in the environment. The temperature of the oceans and air regulates the number of molecules of water evaporation.

An important characteristic of the properties of water vapor is a positive feedback with carbon dioxide. It has been established that the greenhouse effect provoked by the emission is approximately doubled due to the effect of water evaporation molecules.

Thus, water vapor as a greenhouse gas is a powerful catalyst for anthropogenic climate warming. It is worth considering its effect on greenhouse processes only in conjunction with the properties of a positive relationship with carbon dioxide. By itself, water vapor does not lead to such global changes.

Carbon dioxide

It occupies a leading position among greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin. It has been established that about 65% of global warming is associated with an increased emission of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere. The main factor in increasing the concentration of gas is, of course, the production and technical activities of man.

Fuel combustion ranks first (86% of total emissions carbon dioxide) among the sources of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Other causes include biomass burning - mostly forested areas - and industrial emissions.

Carbon dioxide greenhouse gas is the most effective driver of global warming. After entering the atmosphere, carbon dioxide travels a long way through all its layers. The time it takes to remove 65% of the carbon dioxide from the air envelope is called the effective residence time. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide persist for 50-200 years. It is the long duration of the presence of carbon dioxide in the environment that plays a significant role in the processes of the greenhouse effect.

Methane

It enters the atmosphere in a natural and anthropogenic way. Although its concentration is much lower than the amount of carbon dioxide, methane acts as a more significant greenhouse gas. 1 molecule of methane is estimated to be 25 times stronger in the mechanism of the greenhouse effect than a molecule of carbon dioxide.

The atmosphere currently contains about 20% methane (out of 100% greenhouse gases). By artificial means Methane enters the air as a result of industrial emissions. The natural mechanism for the formation of gas is considered excessive decay organic matter and excessive combustion of forest biomass.

Nitric oxide (I)

Nitrous oxide is regarded as the third most important greenhouse gas. This is a substance that has a negative effect on the ozone layer. It has been established that about 6% of the greenhouse effect is due to monovalent nitric oxide. The compound is 250 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Dianitrogen monoxide occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. It has a positive relationship with the ozone layer: the greater the concentration of oxide, the greater the degree of destruction. On the one hand, a decrease in ozone reduces the processes of the greenhouse effect. In the same time radiation much more dangerous for the planet. The role of ozone in the processes of global warming is being studied, and the opinions of experts on this matter are divided.

PFCs and HFCs

Hydrocarbons with partial substitution of fluorine in the structure of the molecule are greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin. The impact of such substances on global warming processes in the aggregate is about 6%.

PFCs are released into the atmosphere as a result of the production of aluminum, electrical appliances and solvents of various substances. HFCs are compounds in which hydrogen is partially replaced by halogens. Used in manufacturing and in aerosols to replace ozone depleting substances. Have high potential global warming, but safer for the Earth's atmosphere.

Sulfur hexafluoride

It is used as an insulating substance in the electric power industry. The compound tends to persist in the layers of the atmosphere for a long time, which leads to a long and extensive absorption of infrared rays. Even a small amount will significantly affect the state of the climate in the future.

the greenhouse effect

The process can be observed not only on Earth, but also on neighboring Venus. Her atmosphere in currently It is made up entirely of carbon dioxide, which led to an increase in surface temperature up to 475 degrees. Experts are sure that the oceans helped the Earth avoid the same fate: by partially absorbing carbon dioxide, they help to remove it from the surrounding air.

Emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere block access to heat rays, which leads to an increase in the temperature on Earth. Global warming is fraught with serious consequences in the form of an increase in the area of ​​the World Ocean, an increase in natural disasters and precipitation. The existence of species in coastal zones and islands is under threat.

In 1997, the UN adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which was created in order to control the amount of emissions in the territory of each of the states. Ecologists are confident that it will not be possible to completely solve the problem of global warming, but it remains possible to significantly mitigate the ongoing processes.

Limitation Methods

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by following a few rules:

• eliminate inefficient use of electricity;
• increase the efficiency of natural resources;
• increase the number of forests, prevent forest fires in time;
• use environmentally friendly technologies in production;
• introduce the use of renewable or non-carbon energy sources.

Greenhouse gases in Russia are emitted due to extensive electricity generation, mining and industrial development.

The main task of science is the invention and implementation of an environmentally friendly type of fuel, the development of a new approach to the processing of waste materials. Gradual reform of production standards, tight control technical field and careful attitude of each to the environment can significantly reduce Global warming can no longer be avoided, but the process is still manageable.

Data scientific research provide information that without reducing the mass of greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere, humanity cannot avoid climate deterioration on the planet.

Where did they come from?

Greenhouse gases, being in the atmospheres of planets, contribute to the occurrence of some dangerous effect. It is named accordingly - greenhouse. On the one hand, without this phenomenon, our planet would never be able to warm up enough for life to arise on it. On the other hand, everything is good in moderation and up to a certain point. Therefore, we will talk about the problems of civilization associated with the phenomenon of greenhouse gases, which, having played its positive role, has changed its quality over time and has become a topic for discussion, research and general concern.

Many millions of years ago, the Sun, heating the Earth, gradually turned it into a source of energy. Part of its heat went into outer space. In addition, it was reflected by gases in the atmosphere and warmed the layers of air close to the earth. This process, similar to the preservation of heat under a transparent film in greenhouses, scientists have given the name "greenhouse effect". And the gases that provoke it, they also called simply. Their name is "greenhouse gases".

At the dawn of the establishment of the Earth's climate, the active activity of volcanoes contributed to the emergence of this effect. Emissions in the form of water vapor and carbon dioxide were trapped in the atmosphere in large quantities. The result was a hyper-greenhouse effect that heated the World Ocean almost to the boiling point. And only with the advent of the green biosphere, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, the temperature regime of the planet gradually returned to normal.

However, general industrialization, the constant growth of production capacities have changed not only chemical composition greenhouse gases, but also the essence of this phenomenon.

They are well known

A greenhouse gas is a compound that lingers in the Earth's atmosphere and becomes an obstacle to its thermal radiation on its way to space. The heat given off by the planet comes back again. As a result, average temperatures are steadily rising, which can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Excessive heating of the planet occurs due to the difference in the transparency of the layers of the atmosphere. The sun's rays pass through them easily. The atmosphere is transparent to ultraviolet light. It is difficult for thermal infrared radiation to penetrate its lower layers, where greenhouse gases collect. The thing is, they create a seal.

The Kyoto Protocol contains a clear list of greenhouse gases whose presence in the Earth's atmosphere should be combated. These include:

• water vapor;
• carbon dioxide;
• methane;
• nitrous oxide;
• freons;
• ozone;
• perfluorocarbons;
• sulfur hexafluoride.

Dangerous Potential

Water vapor is classified as a natural gas, but its contribution to the formation of the greenhouse effect is quite large. He cannot be underestimated.

Carbon dioxide is considered as one of the main factors affecting the planet's climate. Its share in the atmosphere is about 64%, and its role in global warming is exactly that great. The main sources of its release into the atmosphere are as follows:

• volcanic eruptions;
• metabolic process of the biosphere;
• combustion of biomass and fossil fuels;
• deforestation;
• production processes.

Methane does not decompose in the atmosphere for 10 years and is a serious threat to the Earth's climate. Its greenhouse effect is 28 times greater than the capabilities of carbon dioxide, and in the next 20 years, if its emission is not stopped, this superiority will reach 84. Its main sources are anthropogenic in nature. This:

• agricultural production, in particular rice cultivation;
• cattle breeding (increase in livestock and, as a result, sewage);
• forest burning.

Some of the greenhouse gas methane comes from leakage during the development of hard coal deposits. It is also emitted during the extraction of natural gas.

Freons are a particular danger to the environment. They are mainly used in aerosols and refrigeration units.

Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that occupies one of the leading places in terms of quantity in the atmosphere and impact on global warming. Sources of its origin and application:

• production of mineral fertilizers in the chemical industry;
• the food industry uses it as a propellant;
• in the branches of mechanical engineering and rocketry, it is used in engines.

Ozone, or rather that part of it, which is classified as a harmful gas that creates a greenhouse effect, is located in the lower layers of the troposphere. Increasing near the ground, its amount can harm green spaces, damaging their leaves and reducing the ability to photosynthesize. It is mainly formed as a result of the reaction of the interaction of carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides with water vapor, sunlight and volatile organic compounds in the presence of oxygen. The main sources of these substances in the atmosphere are greenhouse gas emissions from industrial facilities, vehicles and chemical solvents.

Perfluorocarbons are the result of the production of aluminum, solvents and electronics. They are used in dielectrics, heat carriers, coolants, lubricating oils, and even as artificial blood. They can only be obtained by chemical synthesis. Like most fluorinated gases, they are hazardous to environment. Their greenhouse potential is estimated hundreds of times higher than that of carbon dioxide.

Sulfur hexafluoride is also one of those greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol as potentially hazardous. It is used in the field of fire extinguishing, in the electronics and metallurgical industries as a process medium, its role as a refrigerant is known, etc. Its emissions remain in the atmosphere for a long time and actively accumulate infrared radiation.

Ways to solve the problem

The world community is making a lot of effort to develop a unified program of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the serious components of environmental policy is the approval of standards for emissions of fuel products of combustion and the reduction of fuel use due to the transition of the automotive industry to the production of electric vehicles.

The operation of nuclear power plants that do not use coal and oil products indirectly already allows to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by several times.

Transnational gas and oil refiners are coordinating with international environmental organizations and governments to combat methane emissions. They have already been joined by many large oil and gas producing states, such as Nigeria, Mexico, Norway, the USA, and Russia.

Significant reduction or ban on deforestation can also have a significant impact on environmental health. As trees grow, they absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide. During cutting, they release it. Reducing the percentage of deforestation for arable land in tropical countries has already made a significant contribution to optimizing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Part of the global environmental program are the new European restrictions on the technological characteristics of boilers and water heaters. All developments of such household appliances must henceforth comply with the requirements for controlling carbon dioxide emissions during their use. With the introduction of new technologies, this greenhouse gas is expected to reduce its presence in the atmosphere by 136 million tons over six years.

Renewable energy - a challenge to greenhouse gases

V Lately there is a fashionable trend to invest in the development of renewable energy industries. The percentage of its use on the scale of world consumption is slowly but steadily growing. It is called "green energy" because it originates in natural regular processes that occur in nature.

Resources such as water, wind, sunlight, tides, man has now learned to apply for technical needs. The percentage of world energy consumption from renewable sources by 2014 has already pulled up to 20. Every year, 30% more wind energy is used worldwide. The production of photovoltaic panels is increasing. In Spain and Germany, the popularity of solar power plants is growing.

Running car engines emit huge amounts of greenhouse gas. The proof of this fact became an incentive to search for "green" types of gasoline. Recent studies have shown that bioethanol can be considered as an alternative to petroleum based motor fuels. As part of an environmental program, Brazil has been producing ethanol from sugar cane for several years. It is produced in large quantities from US cereal, rice and corn pulp. Biofuels are already beginning to partially replace gasoline in many countries around the world.

Everyone's contribution

Greenhouse gases and their destructive work cannot be seen or felt. For now, it's still hard for us to imagine. However, this problem may affect the next generation. Thinking not only about themselves, people can take part in solving this problem today. If each of us plants a tree, puts out a fire in the forest in time, switches to a car “filled” with electricity at the first opportunity, he will certainly leave his mark in the future.

Greenhouse gases absorb reflected energy from the Sun, making the Earth's atmosphere warmer. Most of solar energy reaches the surface of the planet, and some is reflected back into space. Some gases present in the atmosphere absorb reflected energy and redirect it back to Earth as heat. The gases responsible for this are called greenhouse gases because they play the same role as the transparent plastic or glass covering a greenhouse.

Greenhouse gases and human activities

Some greenhouse gases are released naturally as a result of volcanic activity and biological processes. However, since the advent of the industrial revolution at the turn of the 19th century, humans have been releasing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This increase accelerated with the development of the petrochemical industry.

the greenhouse effect

The heat reflected from greenhouse gases produces a measurable warming of the Earth's surface and oceans. This has a wide-ranging impact on ice, oceans, and.

The main greenhouse gases of the Earth:

water vapor

Water vapor is the most powerful and important of the Earth's greenhouse gases. The amount of water vapor in can not be directly changed by human activity - it is determined by air temperature. The warmer, the higher the rate of evaporation of water from the surface. As a result, increased evaporation leads to a greater concentration of water vapor in the lower atmosphere, which is able to absorb infrared radiation and reflect it downward.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas. It is released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions, decomposition of organic matter, and movement Vehicle. The cement production process releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. Plowing the land also releases large amounts of carbon dioxide normally stored in the soil.

Plant life, which absorbs CO2, is an important natural store of carbon dioxide. can also absorb CO2 dissolved in water.

Methane

Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. It is stronger than CO2 but is present in the atmosphere in much lower concentrations. CH4 can stay in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO2 (CH4 has a residence time of about 10 years, compared to hundreds of years for CO2). Natural sources of methane include: wetlands; burning biomass; life processes of cattle; rice cultivation; extraction, combustion and processing of oil or natural gas, etc. The main natural absorber of methane is the atmosphere itself; to others, soil, where methane is oxidized by bacteria.

As with CO2, human activity is increasing CH4 concentrations faster than methane is taken up naturally.

Tropospheric ozone

The next most significant greenhouse gas is tropospheric ozone (O3). It is formed as a result of air pollution and should be distinguished from natural stratospheric O3, which protects us from many of the damaging rays of the sun. V lower parts atmosphere, ozone is produced by the destruction of other chemical substances(for example, nitrogen oxides). This ozone is considered a greenhouse gas, but it is short-lived and although it can contribute significantly to warming, its effects are usually local, not global.

Minor greenhouse gases

Secondary greenhouse gases are nitrogen oxides and freons. They are potentially dangerous for . However, due to the fact that their concentrations are not as significant as the above-mentioned gases, the assessment of their impact on climate has not been fully studied.

nitrogen oxides

Nitrogen oxides are found in the atmosphere through natural biological reactions in soil and water. However, the large amount of nitric oxide emitted contributes significantly to global warming. The main source is the production and use of synthetic fertilizers in agricultural activities. Motor vehicles emit nitrogen oxides when running on fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel.

Freons

Freons are a group of hydrocarbons with different uses and characteristics. CFCs are widely used as refrigerants (in air conditioners and refrigerators), blowing agents, solvents, etc. Their production is already banned in most countries, but they are still present in the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer. Hydrofluorocarbons serve as an alternative to more harmful ozone-depleting substances, and contribute much less to global climate change on the planet.

Greenhouse gases are a natural constituent of the atmosphere and a major contributor to the rich biodiversity on the planet. Because of his molecular structure they absorb infrared solar radiation (heat) and retain it, like glass in a greenhouse. Without this natural effect, the average temperature on Earth would be 35°C lower. During the existence of the planet, the level of greenhouse gases has fluctuated, but in recent centuries it has begun to rise rapidly. Today, scientific evidence confirms that much of this growth is due to human activities.

Human contribution. The increase in the greenhouse effect indicates the contribution of man to global warming. Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere through human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels.
As the amount of greenhouse gases increases, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere. This accelerates the natural greenhouse effect and raises the temperature on Earth.
Increasing concentration. The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Compared to pre-industrial levels, the amount of carbon dioxide has risen by about a third. The content of methane has increased at least twice.
Reliable storage. Forests hold a huge amount of carbon. When they die, carbon enters the atmosphere in the form of CO2. This means that deforestation affects the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations.
Methane. Global warming is 10% caused by methane contained in the atmosphere. Much of this potent greenhouse gas is the result of plant and animal life. It is also released when rotting garbage.
Wood eaters. Termites produce about 18 million tons of methane every year. It is produced by bacteria that break down cellulose in their intestines.
This environmental situation forces people to stay at home, as going outside in greenhouse gas emission zones is fraught with bad consequences. Staying at home, the inhabitants of the Earth do not get bored, they have fun with the help of modern technologies. In addition, the gravity guy game has recently appeared, which at first glance may seem like an ordinary walker. But in fact, the application is very different from standard simulators. The main character is in danger, but thanks to his skills, he always stays alive. Many gamers call this game an improved Chip and Dale for the dandy.

Livestock. During belching, cattle, sheep and goats emit about 90 million tons of methane into the atmosphere every year.
Flood fields. Methane in in large numbers enters the atmosphere from flooded rice fields. This is a by-product of bacteria in stagnant water.

Greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere different planets, lead to the formation of quite dangerous phenomenon. It's about about the greenhouse effect. In fact, the situation can be called paradoxical. After all, it was greenhouse gases that warmed our planet, as a result of which the first living organisms appeared on it. But on the other hand, today these gases cause many environmental problems.

For many millions of years, the Sun has been heating the planet Earth, slowly turning it into an energy source itself. Part of this heat went into outer space, and part was reflected by gases in the atmosphere and heated the air around the planet. A similar process, similar to the preservation of heat under a transparent film in a greenhouse, scientists called the "greenhouse effect". And the gases leading to the occurrence of such a phenomenon are called greenhouse gases.
In the era of the formation of the earth's climate, the greenhouse effect arose as a result of active volcanic activity. Enormous amounts of water vapor and carbon dioxide emissions were trapped in the atmosphere. Thus, a hyper-greenhouse effect was observed, which heated the waters of the oceans almost to the boiling point. And only green vegetation, feeding on atmospheric carbon dioxide, helped to stabilize the temperature regime of our planet.
But global industrialization, as well as an increase in production capacity, has changed not only the chemical composition of greenhouse gases, but also the very meaning of this process.

Major greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases are gaseous constituents of the atmosphere of natural or anthropogenic origin. Scientists have long been interested in the question: what kind of radiation do greenhouse gases absorb? As a result of painstaking research, they found that these gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. They absorb and emit radiation in the same infrared range as the Earth's surface, atmosphere and clouds.
The main greenhouse gases of the Earth are:

• water vapor
• carbon dioxide
• methane
• halogenated hydrocarbons
• nitrogen oxides.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has the strongest impact on our planet's climate. At the very beginning of industrialization, and this is 1750, its average global concentration in the atmosphere reached 280 ± 10 ppm. In general, for 10,000 years, the concentration was at a constant level. However, research results show that already in 2005, the concentration of CO2 increased by 35% and reached 379 ppm, and this is for some 250 years.
Methane (CH4) is in second place. Its concentration increased from 715 ppb in the pre-industrial period to 1774 ppb in 2005. The volume of methane in the atmosphere gradually increased from 580 ppb to 730 ppb over 10,000 years. And over the past 250 years, it has increased by 1000 ppb.
Nitrous oxide (N2O). The volume of atmospheric nitrous oxide in 2005 reached 319 ppb and increased by 18% compared to the pre-industrial period (270 ppb). Glacial core studies suggest that N2O from natural sources has changed by less than 3% over 10,000 years. In the 21st century, almost 40% of the N2O released into the atmosphere is due to economic activity, because this compound is the basis of fertilizers. However, it is worth noting that N2O plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry because it acts as a source of NO2, which destroys stratospheric ozone. In the troposphere, NO2 is responsible for the formation of ozone and significantly affects the chemical balance.
As a greenhouse gas, tropospheric ozone directly affects climate through the absorption of long-wave radiation from the Earth and short-wave radiation from the Sun, as well as through chemical reactions, changing the volumes of other greenhouse gases, for example, methane. Tropospheric ozone is responsible for the formation of an important greenhouse gas oxidant, the radical OH.
The main reason for the increase in tropospheric O3 volumes lies in the increase in the anthropogenic emission of ozone precursors - chemicals that are needed for its formation - primarily hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The lifetime of tropospheric ozone is several months, which is significantly lower than that of other greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O).
Water vapor is also a very important natural greenhouse gas that has a significant impact on the greenhouse effect. An increase in air temperature leads to an increase in the moisture content in the atmosphere while maintaining approximately the same relative humidity, as a result of which the greenhouse effect is enhanced, and the air temperature continues to rise. Water vapor contributes to the growth of cloudiness and changes in precipitation. Economic activity a person has an impact on the emission of water vapor, no more than 1%. Water vapor, together with the ability to absorb radiation in almost the entire infrared range, also contributes to the formation of OH - radicals.
It is worth mentioning freons, the greenhouse activity of which is 1300-8500 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. Freon sources are various refrigerators and all kinds of aerosols from antiperspirants to mosquito sprays.

Sources of greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gas emissions come from two categories of sources:

• natural sources. In the era of the absence of industry, the main sources of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere were the phenomena of evaporation of water from the oceans, volcanoes and forest fires. However, to date, volcanoes emit only about 0.15-0.26 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year. The volume of water vapor, for the same period, can be expressed in the evaporation of 355 thousand cubic kilometers of water
• anthropogenic sources. Due to intensive industrial activity, greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere during the combustion of fossil fuels (carbon dioxide), during the development of oil fields (methane), due to the leakage of refrigerants and the use of aerosols (freons), rocket launches (nitrogen oxides), as well as the operation of automobile engines (ozone). In addition, the industrial activity of people contributes to the reduction of forest plantations, which are the main sinks of carbon dioxide on the continents.

Greenhouse gas reduction

Over the past hundred years, humanity has been actively developing a unified program of actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The most significant component of environmental policy can be called the introduction of standards for emissions of fuel products of combustion and the reduction of fuel use through the transition of the automotive industry to the creation of electric vehicles.
The operation of nuclear power plants, which do not need coal or oil products, indirectly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The calculation of greenhouse gases is carried out according to a special formula or in special programs that analyze the activities of enterprises.
Significantly reducing or completely banning deforestation is also a very effective method in the fight against greenhouse gases. During their life, trees absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide. In the process of cutting down trees, this gas is released. Decreasing areas of deforestation for arable land in tropical countries has already yielded tangible results in optimizing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmentalists are very pleased with the current trend to invest in the development of various types of renewable energy. The volumes of its use on a global scale are slowly but constantly growing. It is called "green energy" because it is formed in natural regular processes that occur in nature.
Man today cannot see or feel Negative influence greenhouse gases. But our children may well face this problem. If you think not only about yourself, then you can join the solution of this problem today. You just need to plant a tree near your house, put out a fire in the forest in a timely manner, or at the first opportunity change your car to a “filled” with electricity.

Fugitive Emission Source Categories

Sector name	Explanation
Oil and natural gas	Covers fugitive emissions from all oil and gas activities. Primary sources of these releases may include fugitive equipment leaks, evaporative losses, venting, flaring and accidental releases.
	Covers emissions from ventilation, combustion and other volatile sources associated with the exploration, production, transfer, refining and refining of crude oil and the distribution of crude oil products.
Gas removal	Emissions from the removal of the respective gases and off-gas/vapours at oil facilities.
flaring	Emissions from unproductive flaring of associated gas at oil facilities.
All others	Fugitive emissions at oil facilities from equipment leaks, storage losses, pipeline breakdowns, collapse of walls, surface storage facilities, gas migration to the surface, to vents, generation of biogenic gas in waste ponds and other types of gases or vapors released unintentionally, not for combustion purposes in torches and removal.
Intelligence service	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from oil drilling, drill string testing and well completions.
Extraction and quality improvement	Fugitive emissions from oil production (excluding gas venting and flaring) originate from oil wellheads, oil sands or oil shale during the start-up of the oil transportation system. This includes fugitive emissions associated with well maintenance, oil sands or oil shale, transportation of crude oil products (i.e., downstream gases and liquids, emulsions, oil shale and oil sands) to extraction and quality improvement treatment plants, systems return injection of associated gas and water disposal systems. Fugitive emissions from enrichment plants are grouped with emissions from production, which is preferable to grouping with emissions from distillation, as enrichment plants are often integrated with extraction plants and their relative contribution to emissions is difficult to ascertain. However, enrichment plants may also be integrated with purification plants, cogeneration units or other industrial facilities, and it is difficult to determine their relative contribution to emissions in these cases.
Transportation	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) are associated with the transport of marketable crude oil (including standard, heavy and synthetic oils and bitumen) for upgrading and refining. Transportation systems may include pipelines, tankers, tankers and railcars. Evaporative losses during storage, filling and unloading, as well as fugitive leaks from this equipment, are the primary sources of these emissions.
Distillation	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from refineries. Refineries process crude oil, natural gas condensate and synthetic oil and produce refining end products (for example, and primarily, fuels and lubricants). Where treatment plants are integrated with other facilities (eg enrichment plants or cogeneration plants), their relative contributions to emissions may be difficult to determine.
Distribution of petroleum products	This includes fugitive emissions (excluding gas venting and flaring) from the transportation and distribution of refined petroleum products, including pipeline terminals and distribution stations. Evaporative losses during storage, filling and unloading, as well as fugitive leaks from equipment, are the primary sources of these emissions.
	Fugitive emissions from petroleum systems (excluding gas venting and flaring not included in the categories above. Includes fugitive emissions from spills and other accidental releases, waste oil treatment plants, and oilfield waste disposal plants.
Natural gas	Covers emissions from venting, flaring and other volatile sources associated with the exploration, production, transmission, storage and distribution of natural gas (including both associated and natural gas).
Gas removal	Emissions from the removal of natural gas and off-gas/fume from gas facilities.
flaring	Emissions from flaring of natural gas and off-gas/fumes from gas facilities.
All others	Fugitive emissions at gas facilities from equipment leaks, storage losses, pipeline breakdowns, collapse of walls, surface storage facilities, gas migration to the surface, to vents, generation of biogenic gas in waste ponds and other types of gases or vapors released unintentionally, not for combustion purposes in flares or removal.
Intelligence service	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from gas well drilling, drill string testing and well completion.
	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from gas wells through inlets at gas treatment facilities or, if treatment is not required, at junction points of gas transportation systems. Includes fugitive emissions associated with well maintenance, gas gathering, processing and disposal of associated water and acid gases.
Recycling	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from gas treatment plants.
Transport and storage	Fugitive emissions from systems used to transport processed natural gas to customers (eg industrial customers and natural gas distribution systems). Fugitive emissions from natural gas storage facilities should also be included in this category. Emissions from natural gas liquids removal plants in gas supply systems should be accounted for as part of natural gas processing (sector 1.B.2.b.iii.3). Fugitive emissions related to the transportation of natural gas liquids should be accounted for in category 1.B.2.a.iii.3.
Distribution	Fugitive emissions (excluding venting and flaring) from gas distribution to end users.
	Fugitive emissions from natural gas supply systems (excluding gas venting and flaring) not included in the categories above. This may include emissions from well flowing, pipeline failures or dredging.