Avoiding Greenhouse Gases Other than Carbon Dioxide

6 Avoiding Greenhouse Gases Other than Carbon Dioxide 

It is important to prevent the release of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide, especially ultrastable volatile compounds that have a high greenhouse gas potential. An excellent example of green chemistry has been the replacement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (Freons such as 

Another measure to avoid atmospheric warming is to limit the emissions of methane, CH4. Large quantities of methane are released by anoxic bacteria growing in flooded rice paddies. By developing strains of rice and means of cultivation that enable the crop to be grown in unflooded soil, this source of methane can be greatly reduced. Methane collection systans placed in municipal waste landfills can prevent the release of methane generated by anoxic decay of biomass in the landfills and provide a source of methane fuel. 

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While biomass generally involves the burning of material it differs from fossil fuels in that no more heat or carbon dioxide is produced than would be produced by natural processes. As such, it is referred to as carbon neutral. However, it still produces CO2 and a range of other pollutants including nitrogen oxides, ash, but virtually no SO2. A further environmental benefit is that the combustion of landfill gas avoids accidental explosions and prevents the release of methane, which is more potent as a greenhouse gas. 

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