What is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect?a.Ozone (O3)b.Carbon dioxide (CO2)c.Methane (CH4)d.Nitrous oxide (N2O)

The primary greenhouse gas responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect among the options provided is b. Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Explanation:

1. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: This refers to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. This leads to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere.

2. Role of CO2: Carbon dioxide is released in large quantities through the aforementioned activities and is the most significant greenhouse gas emitted by human activities in terms of its overall contribution to climate change.

3. Comparison with Other Gases:

   • Ozone (O3): While ozone is a greenhouse gas, it is primarily found in the stratosphere and its direct contribution to the enhanced greenhouse effect is less than that of CO2.
   • Methane (CH4): Methane is more effective at trapping heat than CO2 but is present in smaller quantities and has a shorter atmospheric lifetime.
   • Nitrous oxide (N2O): Similar to methane, nitrous oxide is potent but also less abundant than CO2.

In conclusion, while all the listed gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide remains the most significant contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect due to its volume and persistence in the atmosphere.