Biogeochemical transformation of greenhouse gas emissions from terrestrial to atmospheric environment and potential feedback to climate forcing

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Nov;27(31):38513-38536. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-10151-1. Epub 2020 Aug 8.

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is mainly universal greenhouse gas associated with climate change. However, beyond CO2, some other greenhouse gases (GHGs) like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), being two notable gases, contribute to global warming. Since 1900, the concentrations of CO2 and non-CO2 GHG emissions have been elevating, and due to the effects of the previous industrial revolution which is responsible for climate forcing. Globally, emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O from agricultural sectors are increasing as around 1% annually. Moreover, deforestation also contributes 12-17% of total global GHGs. Perhaps, the average temperature is likely to increase globally, at least 2 °C by 2100-by mid-century. These circumstances are responsible for climate forcing, which is the source of various human health diseases and environmental risks. From agricultural soils, rhizospheric microbial communities have a significant role in the emissions of greenhouse gases. Every year, microbial communities release approximately 1.5-3 billion tons of carbon into the atmospheric environment. Microbial nitrification, denitrification, and respiration are the essential processes that affect the nitrogen cycle in the terrestrial environment. In the twenty-first century, climate change is the major threat faced by human beings. Climate change adversely influences human health to cause numerous diseases due to their direct association with climate change. This review highlights the different anthropogenic GHG emission sources, the response of microbial communities to climate change, climate forcing potential, and mitigation strategies through different agricultural management approaches and microbial communities.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide greenhouse gas; Carbon sequestration; Human health; Mitigation; Non-CO2 greenhouse gases; Soil microbes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Global Warming
  • Greenhouse Effect
  • Greenhouse Gases*
  • Humans
  • Methane / analysis
  • Nitrous Oxide / analysis
  • Soil

Substances

  • Greenhouse Gases
  • Soil
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Methane