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 to be phased-out globally. PFCs and SF were already in use prior to the Montreal Protocol. F-gases are ozone-friendly, very energy efficient, and safe for users and the public due to their low levels of toxicity and flammability. However, most F-gases have a relatively high global warming potential (GWP). If released, HFCs stay in the atmosphere for decades and both PFCs and SF can stay in the atmosphere for millennia. Although the Montreal Protocol regulates the phasing out of HCFCs, there was no international agreement on the regulation of HFCs until late 2016 when the Kigali Agreement under the Montreal