A gas naturally occurring in very small quantities, such as argon in the atmosphere. A trace element is an element, such as zinc, copper, and cobalt, which is required in very small quantities to ensure normal development of an organism.
Trace gas
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A trace gas is a gas which makes up less than 1% by volume of the Earth's atmosphere, and it includes all gases except nitrogen (78.1%) and oxygen (20.9%). The most abundant trace gas at 0.934% is argon, which is being continually produced by radioactive decay of 40K in the earth's rocks. Water vapor also occurs in the atmosphere with highly variable abundance.
Several atmospheric trace gases such as tropospheric ozone O3, sulfur dioxide SO2 and nitrogen oxides NOx are anthropogenic, chemically reactive factors of air quality at a regional level. Others such as carbon dioxide CO2 and methane CH4 are important greenhouse gases[1] and are produced anthropogenically but mainly by plants, microorganisms and from natural geothermal sources.[2][3]
References
- ^ R.K. Monson & E.A. Holland (2001). "Biospheric trace gas fluxes and their control over tropospheric chemistry". Ann. Rev. Ecol. Sys. 32: 547–576. doi:.
- ^ S.J. Hall, P.A. Matson & P.M. Roth (1996). "NOX emissions from soil: Implications for air quality modeling in agricultural regions". Ann. Rev. Energy Env. 21: 311–346. doi:.
- ^ R.K. Monson (2002). "Volatile organic compound emissions from terrestrial ecosystems: A primary biological control over atmospheric chemistry". Israel J. Chem. 42: 29–42. doi:.
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 | Geography Dictionary. A Dictionary of Geography. Copyright © Susan Mayhew 1992, 1997, 2004. All rights reserved. Read more |
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Mentioned in
- cavity ringdown laser absorption spectroscopy (spectroscopy)
- sulphur dioxide
- optoacoustic detection method (analytical chemistry)
- ozone
