The natural greenhouse effect of atmospheric oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2)

• The effect of collision-induced absorption by molecular oxygen (O 2) and nitrogen (N 2) on the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) of the Earth's atmosphere has been quantified. We have found that on global average under clear-sky conditions the OLR is reduced due to O 2 by 0.11 Wm -2 and due to N 2 by 0.17 Wm -2. Together this amounts to 15% of the OLR-reduction caused by CH 4 at present atmospheric concentrations. Over Antarctica the combined effect of O 2 and N 2 increases on average to about 38% of CH 4 with single values reaching up to 80%. This is explained by less interference of H 2O spectral bands on the absorption features of O 2 and N 2 for dry atmospheric conditions.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Rymd- och flygteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Aerospace Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Space Technology

Rymdteknik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)