Trace gas Trace gas The most abundant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (78.1%), oxygen (20.9%), and argon (0.934%). Combined, oxygen, argon, and nitrogen make up 99.934% of the gases in the atmosphere (not including water vapor). The other gases that are not part of the 99.934% of the atmosphere are called trace gases. The abundance of a trace gas can range from a few parts per trillion (ppt) by volume to several hundred parts per million by volume (ppmv). When a trace gas is added into the atmosphere, that process is called a "source". There are two possible types of sources
Fluorinated gases Fluorinated gases Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are man-made gases that can stay in the atmosphere for centuries and contribute to a global greenhouse effect. There are four types: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF). The most common F-gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon. They are used in a multitude of applications including commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, air-conditioning systems, heat pump equipment, and as blowing agents for foams, fire extinguishants, aerosol propellants, and solvents. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are the compounds consisting of fluorine and carbon. They are widely used in the electronics, cosmetics, and