Greenhouse Gas Effect Research Articles

Trends and Status of Renewable Energy Power Generation in China

Energy is an essential and critical material foundation for economic development, contributing to the rapid growth of the economy and playing an integral role. In today's world, the revolution of energy resources is an imperative task. This is due to the continuous decline in the reserves of traditional energy resources worldwide, such as the urgent need for reserves of fossil energy resources, and the worsening global greenhouse effect and excessive greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, energy resources need to undergo a restructuring, with the key focus on diversification, efficiency, and cleanliness. Currently, several countries, including China, are either planning or actively developing a low-carbon or even zero-carbon energy system. Furthermore, they are accelerating the revolution of energy consumption and production.China is becoming an essential contributor and guide to the transformation of the world's energy revolution, alongside the realization and improvement of this new energy system.Given this context, the inadequacies in China's ability to support renewable energy are identified by examining China's development objectives. The discussion covers the quantity of renewable power produced, the extent of its consumption and restrictions placed upon it. The present state of renewable energy development in China is viewed through a market-oriented approach. Additionally, the current state and future Development plans of renewable energy generation in China are assessed by considering the legal framework and policy instruments involved.

Responses of soil greenhouse gas emissions to soil mesofauna invasions and its driving mechanisms in the alpine tundra: A microcosm study

Climate change is resulting in significant modifications of the altitudinal patterns of soil fauna in mountains, leading to their upward invasion and alteration of soil ecological processes. However, the effects of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soil mesofauna invasion and their driving mechanisms have not been clearly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we simulated a soil mesofauna invasion from an Erman's birch forest (EB) to the alpine tundra (AT) of the Changbai Mountain in Northeast China. Four treatments were established: no soil mesofauna (S0), native species (SN), invasive species (SI), and invasive species superposed native species (SS). We conducted a 79-day microcosm experiment, utilizing gas chromatography and high-throughput sequencing, to explore the variations in soil greenhouse gas emissions and their driving factors. Results showed that the cumulative CO2 emissions under SN, SI, and SS, compared with S0, increased by 34.13 %, 73.93 %, and 107.64 % and cumulative N2O emissions increased by 59.05 %, 101.18 %, and 183.88 %, respectively. Compared to SN, the cumulative emissions of CO2 and N2O increased by 29.89 % and 26.31 % under SI and by 54.91 % and 78.59 % under SS, respectively. The impacts of invasive species and native species on greenhouse gases were not a simple additive effect. Abiotic (soil variables) and biotic (soil mesofauna and microbial diversity) factors explained 37.76 % and 44.41 % of the total variations in CO2 and N2O emissions, respectively, in which NH4+-N and C: N ratios contributed the largest variations. The contribution of soil mesofauna diversity to the variations in CO2 and N2O emissions was higher than that of microbial diversity. The bacterial network graph density was correlated with soil CO2 and N2O emissions. Our findings highlight that soil mesofauna invasions increased GHG emissions, and these variations were predominantly explained by biotic rather than abiotic factors.

Unraveling the complexities of the Last Glacial Maximum climate: the role of individual boundary conditions and forcings

Abstract. In order to quantify the relative importance of individual boundary conditions and forcings, including greenhouse gases, ice sheets, and Earth's orbital parameters, on determining Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate, we have performed a series of LGM experiments using a state-of-the-art climate model AWI-ESM, in which different combinations of boundary conditions and forcings have been applied following the protocol of Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project phase 4 (PMIP4). In good agreement with observational proxy records, a general colder and drier climate is simulated in our full-forced LGM experiment as compared to the present-day simulation. Our simulated results from non-full-forced sensitivity simulations reveal that both the greenhouse gases and ice sheets play a major role in defining the anomalous LGM surface temperature compared to today. Decreased greenhouse gases in LGM as compared to present day leads to a non-uniform global cooling with polar amplification effect. The presence of LGM ice sheets favors a warming over the Arctic and northern Atlantic oceans in boreal winter, as well as a cooling over regions with the presence of ice sheets. The former is induced by a strengthening in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) transporting more heat to high latitudes, whilst the latter is due to the increased surface albedo and elevation of ice sheets. We find that the Northern Hemisphere monsoon precipitation is influenced by the opposing effects of LGM greenhouse gases and ice sheets. Specifically, the presence of ice sheets leads to significant drying in the Northern Hemisphere monsoon regions, while a reduction in greenhouse gases results in increased monsoon rainfall. Based on our model results, continental ice sheets exert a major control on atmospheric dynamics and the variability of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Moreover, our analysis also implies a nonlinearity in climate response to LGM boundary conditions and forcings.

Identification Of Greenhouse Gases Emissions From Shipyard Activity In Lamongan, Indonesia

Following International Maritime Organization (IMO) policy directives, the maritime industry has been seeking efficient solutions to alter the energy consumption patterns of ports and ships to ensure the sustainable operation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support sustainable transport. However, there is little focus on identifying the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions related ship manufacture. The shipyard industry can generate greenhouse gas effects from burning fossil fuels and energy use. This study aims to identify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the shipyard industry. The first step to calculating the number of greenhouse gas emissions is to start by identifying the sources of CO2 emissions, then calculate the emissions by the calculations referred to IPCC 2006. Based on the research results, total primary and secondary CO2 emissions in the shipyard is 358,693,723 tons CO2/year.

Design of an Optimal Software-Defined Network for Reducing the Greenhouse Gas Effect

Design of an Optimal Software-Defined Network for Reducing the Greenhouse Gas Effect

CO2 Capture and Direct Air CO2 Capture Followed by Integrated Conversion to Methane Assisted by Metal Hydroxides and a Ru/Al2O3 Catalyst

AbstractRising CO2 levels are leading to an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas effect. Hydroxide salts have previously been shown to be promising reagents for capturing CO2. Utilizing a 5 %Ru/Al2O3 catalyst, the carbonates obtained through CO2 capture can then be hydrogenated to methane. This conversion occurs at relatively mild temperatures from 200 °C to 250 °C under 40 to 70 bar H2 with yields of up to 100 %. Natural sources of calcium carbonate, like eggshells and seashells, can also be partially converted to methane. The direct air CO2 capture and conversion of CO2 to methane was achieved as well in quantitative yields.

Quantifying effects of Earth orbital parameters and greenhouse gases on mid-Holocene climate

Abstract. The mid-Holocene (MH) is the most recent typical climate period and a subject of great interest in global paleocultural research. Following the latest Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project phase 4 (PMIP4) protocol and using a fully coupled climate model, we simulated the climate during both the MH and the preindustrial (PI) periods and quantified the effects of Earth orbital parameters (ORBs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) on climate differences, focusing on the simulated differences in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) between these two periods. Compared to the PI simulation, the ORB effect in the MH simulation led to seasonal enhancement of temperature, consistent with previous findings. In the MH simulation, the ORB effect led to a markedly warmer climate in the mid–high latitudes and increased precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere, which were partially offset by the cooling effect of the lower GHGs. The AMOC in the MH simulation was about 4 % stronger than that in the PI simulation. The ORB effect led to 6 % enhancement of the AMOC in the MH simulation, which was, however, partly neutralized by the GHG effect. Transient simulation from the MH to the PI further demonstrated the opposite effects of ORBs and GHGs on the evolution of the AMOC during the past 6000 years. The simulated stronger AMOC in the MH was mainly due to the thinner sea ice in the polar oceans caused by the ORB effect, which reduced the freshwater flux export to the subpolar Atlantic and resulted in a more saline North Atlantic. This study may help us quantitatively understand the roles of different external forcing factors in Earth's climate evolution since the MH.

Prediction of carbon dioxide emissions based on machine learning algorithms

The escalating emergence of environmental issues, including the greenhouse effect and coral bleaching, has raised global awareness of the significance of sustainable development and preservation of the earth's resources. Although reducing emissions is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of greenhouse gases, it remains challenging to detect without specialized equipment. This constraint is particularly burdensome for small organizations and individual groups due to the high associated costs. Therefore, this study proposes using machine learning algorithms and common vehicle attributes to predict greenhouse gas emissions accurately. Specifically, the research employs the random forest algorithm, incorporating vehicle power parameters to predict carbon dioxide emissions. The study employs Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R-squared metrics to analyze the model's effectiveness, accuracy, and feasibility in predicting greenhouse gas emissions. This approach will enable small groups to participate in environmental protection efforts, democratizing the process for all who desire to safeguard the environment.

How public health events influence the adoption of alternative fuel trucks at the city level: Insights from China's 2020 COVID-19 data

Amid rising concerns about greenhouse gas effects and the increasing frequency of public health events like COVID-19, transitioning to cleaner energy in transportation becomes crucial. This study examines how various factors, particularly public health events, influence cities' adoption of alternative fuel trucks. Both the duration and intensity of such health events are quantified to enhance the generalizability of the findings. Key conclusions include: (a) Only cities focused on high-tech and light manufacturing show significant influence from public health events, explaining over 18% of the adoption variance. (b) The interaction between event duration and the total incomes of industrial enterprises offers 10% more explanatory power than the interaction between event strength and the same economic factor. (c) Enhanced interaction effects stemming from industrial emissions underscore the significance of environmental policies, incentives for green transportation, and the scale of enterprise development. These findings provide suggestions for cities addressing sustainable transportation challenges in the face of recurring health crises and offer strategic insights for the burgeoning alternative fuel truck industry.

Spatiotemporal variability and environmental effects of greenhouse gases, nutrients, and dissolved carbons in an ice-covered reservoir

Ice cover restructures the distribution of substances in ice and underlying water and poses non-negligible environmental effects. This study aimed to clarify the spatiotemporal variability and environmental effects of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in ice and water columns during different ice-covered periods. We surveyed the ice-growth, ice-stability, and ice-melt periods in an ice-covered reservoir located in Northeast China. The results showed that underlying water (CH4: 1218.9 ± 2678.9 nmol L−1 and N2O: 19.3 ± 7.3 nmol L−1) and ice (CH4: 535.2 ± 2373.1 nmol L−1 and N2O: 9.9 ± 1.5 nmol L−1) were sources of atmospheric greenhouse gases. N2O concentrations were the highest in the bottom water of the reservoir while CH4 accumulated the most below the ice in the riverine zone. These can be attributed to differences in the solubilities and relative molecular masses of the two gases. Higher concentrations of N2O, TN, TP, DOC, and DIC were recorded in the underlying water than those in the ice due to the preferential redistribution of these substances in the aqueous phase during ice formation. Additionally, we distinguished between bubble and no-bubble areas in the riverine zone and found that the higher CH4 concentrations in the underlying water than those in the ice were due to CH4 bubbles. In addition, we reviewed various substances in ice-water systems and found that the substances in ice-water systems can be divided into solute exclusion and particle entrapment, which are attributed to differences between dissolved and particulate states. These findings are important for a comprehensive understanding of substances dynamics during ice-covered periods.

Cascade NH3 Oxidation and N2O Decomposition via Bifunctional Co and Cu Catalysts.

The selective catalytic oxidation of NH3 (NH3-SCO) to N2 is an important reaction for the treatment of diesel engine exhaust. Co3O4 has the highest activity among non-noble metals but suffers from N2O release. Such N2O emissions have recently been regulated due to having a 300× higher greenhouse gas effect than CO2. Here, we design CuO-supported Co3O4 as a cascade catalyst for the selective oxidation of NH3 to N2. The NH3-SCO reaction on CuO-Co3O4 follows a de-N2O pathway. Co3O4 activates gaseous oxygen to form N2O. The high redox property of the CuO-Co3O4 interface promotes the breaking of the N-O bond in N2O to form N2. The addition of CuO-Co3O4 to the Pt-Al2O3 catalyst reduces the full NH3 conversion temperature by 50 K and improves the N2 selectivity by 20%. These findings provide a promising strategy for reducing N2O emissions and will contribute to the rational design and development of non-noble metal catalysts.

The extreme heat wave of late July/early August 2021 in Greece under the context of the direct effect of anthropogenic greenhouse gases

AbstractGreece is characterized by a significant warming trend in recent decades, accompanied by increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves (HWs). A particularly devastating HW that affected the country was the late July/early August 2021 event (JA2021HW), which lasted for 9 days (July 28–August 5). Focusing on the hottest day of the event (August 3), the main characteristics of JA2021HW are presented in the current study, using model reanalysis data and up to 11‐year observations derived from the dense network of ground‐based weather stations operated by the Meteo Unit at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). This analysis highlights the severity of JA2021HW, especially in the central and southernmost regions of Greece. Most importantly, the impact of the direct effect of anthropogenic greenhouse gases to the examined extreme event, in terms of intensity and probability of occurrence, is examined by employing a regional 31‐member ensemble (ENS) modeling approach based on Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, which is operationally used by NOA/Meteo. Firstly, WRF is validated under 7‐day lead‐time ENS simulations with current‐state greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations (GHG_2021 ENS), showing a robust model performance in replicating the JA2021HW's magnitude on August 3rd. Then, 7‐day lead‐time ENS simulations with the GHG concentrations reduced to the pre‐industrial (1854) levels (GHG_1854 ENS) are performed and compared to the GHG_2021 ENS experiment. The results reveal a contribution of the immediate anthropogenic warming due to the increased GHG concentrations to the JA2021HW intensity in West and South continental and insular Greece, which can be important in the framework of the human health impacts of extreme temperatures. For the event's occurrence probability, no robust evidence of any change could be derived. These statements are partially constrained by the fact that only the direct GHG effect on the timescale of a few days was examined.

The competition between anthropogenic aerosol and greenhouse gas climate forcing is revealed by North Pacific water-mass changes.

Modeled water-mass changes in the North Pacific thermocline, both in the subsurface and at the surface, reveal the impact of the competition between anthropogenic aerosols (AAs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) over the past 6 decades. The AA effect overwhelms the GHG effect during 1950-1985 in driving salinity changes on density surfaces, while after 1985 the GHG effect dominates. These subsurface water-mass changes are traced back to changes at the surface, of which ~70% stems from the migration of density surface outcrops, equatorward due to regional cooling by AAs and subsequent poleward due to warming by GHGs. Ocean subduction connects these surface outcrop changes to the main thermocline. Both observations and models reveal this transition in climate forcing around 1985 and highlight the important role of AA climate forcing on our oceans' water masses.

The influence of future changes in springtime Arctic ozone on stratospheric and surface climate

Abstract. Stratospheric ozone is expected to recover by the mid-century due to the success of the Montreal Protocol in regulating the emission of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). In the Arctic, ozone abundances are projected to surpass historical levels due to the combined effect of decreasing ODSs and elevated greenhouse gases (GHGs). While long-term changes in stratospheric ozone have been shown to be a major driver of future surface climate in the Southern Hemisphere during summertime, the dynamical and climatic impacts of elevated ozone levels in the Arctic have not been investigated. In this study, we use two chemistry climate models (the SOlar Climate Ozone Links – Max Planck Ocean Model (SOCOL-MPIOM) and the Community Earth System Model – Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (CESM-WACCM)) to assess the climatic impacts of future changes in Arctic ozone on stratospheric dynamics and surface climate in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) during the 21st century. Under the high-emission scenario (RCP8.5) examined in this work, Arctic ozone returns to pre-industrial levels by the middle of the century. Thereby, the increase in Arctic ozone in this scenario warms the lower Arctic stratosphere; reduces the strength of the polar vortex, advancing its breakdown; and weakens the Brewer–Dobson circulation. The ozone-induced changes in springtime generally oppose the effects of GHGs on the polar vortex. In the troposphere, future changes in Arctic ozone induce a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation, pushing the jet equatorward over the North Atlantic. These impacts of future ozone changes on NH surface climate are smaller than the effects of GHGs, but they are remarkably robust among the two models employed in this study, canceling out a portion of the GHG effects (up to 20 % over the Arctic). In the stratosphere, Arctic ozone changes cancel out a much larger fraction of the GHG-induced signal (up to 50 %–100 %), resulting in no overall change in the projected springtime stratospheric northern annular mode and a reduction in the GHG-induced delay of vortex breakdown of around 15 d. Taken together, our results indicate that future changes in Arctic ozone actively shape the projected changes in the stratospheric circulation and their coupling to the troposphere, thereby playing an important and previously unrecognized role as a driver of the large-scale atmospheric circulation response to climate change.

Photocatalysis: A Possible Vital Contributor to the Evolution of the Prebiotic Atmosphere and the Warming of the Early Earth

The evolution of the early atmosphere was driven by changes in its chemical composition, which involved the formation of some critical gases. In this study, we demonstrate that nitrous oxide (N2O) can be produced from Miller’s early atmosphere (a mixture of CH4, NH3, H2, and H2O) by way of photocatalysis. Both NH3 and H2O were indispensable for the production of N2O by photocatalysis. Different conditions related to seawater and reaction temperature are also explored. N2O has a strong greenhouse gas effect, which is more able to warm the Earth than other gases and offers a reasonable explanation for the faint young Sun paradox on the early Earth. Moreover, the decomposition of N2O into N2 and O2 can be boosted by soft irradiation, providing a possible and important origin of atmospheric O2 and N2. The occurrence of O2 propelled the evolution of the atmosphere from being fundamentally reducing to oxidizing. This work describes a possible vital contribution of photocatalysis to the evolution of the early atmosphere.

Glycerol Steam Reforming in a Pilot Plant: Effect of Temperature and Catalyst Load

One of the main environmental problems is the use of oil for fuel and plastic production, implying the increase in pollutants that might contribute to the greenhouse gas effect, among others. Thus, the use of vegetable oils to produce biodiesel can be interesting, as it is biodegradable and less pollutant compared to diesel fuels, presenting higher flash and combustion points. Moreover, biodiesel production could take part in a biorefinery concept, to produce products such as biolubricants and obtain interesting byproducts that can be reused (such as methanol) or upgraded for energy or pharmaceutical purposes (like glycerol). Consequently, the valorization of these byproducts could contribute to the higher energy efficiency of the process, improving the atom economy. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of the temperature and the amount of catalyst on glycerol steam reforming to produce hydrogen at a semi-industrial level, regarding some aspects like gas production, hydrogen mole ratio and power, using a Ni-based catalyst. In conclusion, the best results found in this experiment, allowing a plant to work continuously for 9 h, were obtained with the following conditions: S/C ratio: 0.7; inlet flow: 40 mL/min; temperature: 850 °C; La2O3 and NiO percentage: 5 and 12%, respectively.

The Effect of Greenhouse Gas–Induced Warming on the Impact of El Niño and La Niña Events on Daily Precipitation Extremes in the Boreal Cold Season

Abstract El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a profound influence on the occurrence of extreme precipitation events at local and regional scales in the present-day climate, and thus it is important to understand how that influence may change under future global warming. We consider this question using the large-ensemble simulations of CESM2, which simulates ENSO well historically. CESM2 projects that the influence of ENSO on extreme precipitation will strengthen further under the SSP3–7.0 scenario in most regions whose extreme precipitation regimes are strongly affected by ENSO in the boreal cold season. Extreme precipitation in the boreal cold season that exceeds historical thresholds is projected to become more common throughout the ENSO cycle. The difference in the intensity of extreme precipitation events that occur under El Niño and La Niña conditions will increase, resulting in “more extreme and more variable hydroclimate extremes.” We also consider the processes that affect the future intensity of extreme precipitation and how it varies with the ENSO cycle by partitioning changes into thermodynamic and dynamic components. The thermodynamic component, which reflects increases in atmospheric moisture content, results in a relatively uniform intensification of ENSO-driven extreme precipitation variation. In contrast, the dynamic component, which reflects changes in vertical motion, produces a strong regional difference in the response to forcing. In some regions, this component amplifies the thermodynamic-induced changes, while in others, it offsets them or even results in reduction in extreme precipitation variation.

Observational Constraint on the Contributions of Greenhouse Gas Emission and Anthropogenic Aerosol Removal to Tibetan Plateau Future Warming

AbstractA decline of anthropogenic aerosol (AA) emission is expected worldwide over the coming decades. But the climate effects of aerosol removal and greenhouse gases (GHG) emission at regional scale are poorly distinguished and constrained. Taking the Tibetan Plateau (TP) as an instance, analyses of the state‐of‐the‐art climate models participating in the Detection and Attribution Model Intercomparison Project imply that while the observed warming from 1961 to 2020 is predominantly attributed to GHG emission, the future temperature rise will be influenced by the combined effects of persistent increase in GHG concentration and reduction of AA emission. Here, we develop a new constraint method considering the changed contribution of AA forcing. Constrained by detected individual external forcings, the joint contributions of GHG (1.74°C) and AA forcings (0.10°C) will lead to a warming around 1.85°C over the TP during mid‐century (2041–2060) relative to 1995–2014 under SSP2‐4.5 scenario, which is 0.44°C cooler than the raw projection.

Exploring plausible contributions of end-use harvested wood products to store atmospheric carbon in China

The lateral transfer of carbon from forests to end-use Harvested Wood Products (HWPs), such as furniture and buildings through harvesting and industrial processing, creates an end-use HWPs carbon pool. This carbon pool serves as a substantial storage for atmospheric carbon dioxide, thus contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas effects. As new wood products enter this carbon pool and old products are disposed of upon reaching the end of their service lives, monitoring the carbon inflow and outflow allows for assessment of the size of HWPs carbon pool. Numerous factors, including climate change, population, and economy, significantly influence the supply and demand for wood products, consequently affecting the size of this carbon pool. Therefore, incorporating crucial factors to project plausible futures of carbon stock in HWPs is essential for predicting land-atmospheric carbon exchange and regional carbon budgets. In this study, we compiled and analyzed historical records of wood production and trade data, outlined their plausible futures using a recursive dynamic economic equilibrium model, and employed a product-type and service-life based accounting approach to quantify the HWPs carbon pool in China. Our findings indicate that from 1961 to 2020, the end-use HWPs carbon pool in China functioned as a net annual carbon sink, sequestering 14.9 Tg C of carbon per year and accumulating a total of 893 Tg C, with 76% stored in furniture products. The model predictions suggest that the HWPs carbon pool could potentially sequester carbon up to 2979 ± 806 Tg C by 2070.

Effects of greenhouse gases on Earth, Venus, and Mars: Beyond the one-blanket model

I present a discussion of the effect of increasing carbon dioxide on planetary climate, at a level suitable for insertion as a module into an upper-level Physics course. The treatment includes two key ingredients that are often missing from more elementary discussions, yet are amenable to analytic methods: First, that convection implies a dependence of surface temperature on the height of the outermost infrared-thick layer; and second, that increasing the level of CO2 closes spectral windows of absorption. These themes are applicable not only to an industrializing Earth but also to our neighboring planets.