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Trace gas

to a gas or gases which make up less than 1% of the earth's atmosphere, which encompasses all occurring gasses except nitrogen and oxygen. Several are chemically reactive factors of air quality at a regional level, and others are important greenhouse gases.^[1] Most are anthropogenic, but plants and microorganisms are important sources in remote areas.^[2]^[3] The most common trace gas is argon and trace compounds include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and ozone.

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.
^ S.J. Hall, P.A. Matson & P.M. Roth (1996). "NO_X emissions from soil: Implications for air quality modeling in agricultural regions.". Ann. Rev. Energy Env. 21: 311-346.
^ R.K. Monson (2002). "Volatile organic compound emissions from terrestrial ecosystems: A primary biological control over atmospheric chemistry". Israel J. Chem. 42: 29-42.