substance Chemical % of Effects on the environment Greenhouse

structure atmosphere gas?

Carbon dioxide CO2 <1 (~.03) Essential gas for photosynthesis, major gas involved in global Yes
warming, produced by burning fossil fuels
ozone O3 .00006 Air pollutant with harmful effects on respiratory systems of animals, yes
ozone layer protects earth from ultra violet light
Carbon monoxide CO <1 Highly toxic, once used as a source of fuel, still used in iron yes
smelting, produced by the human body and by volcanic activity and
fires, odorless and colorless, reacts with water vapor at high
temperatures to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen
methane CH4 0.0001745 Highly flammable and explosive, has 21 times the impact on global yes
temperature as a carbon dioxide emission of the same mass
radon Rn trace High concentrations can cause lung cancer, no
amounts
near surface
Sulfur oxides SO, S2O2, <1 Sulfur dioxide is formed by volcanoes and burning coal and can yes
S2O, form acid rain. It can also cause respiratory problems
S7O2, Sulfur trioxide is a major component in acid rain
S3O, SO3,
SO2
Nitrogen oxides NO, 78% Forms smog in sunlight, forms a component of acid rain, can yes
NO2, exacerbate lung and heart problems, interacts with heat and sunlight
N2O, to form ozone
N2O3,
N2O4,
N2O5
Oxygen gas O2 21-23 Found in all living organisms, produced during photosynthesis, no
Argon gas Ar .94 no
(volume)
1.3 (weight)
Water vapor H 2O ~0.40 Part of the water cycle, responsible for many weather patterns yes