What is the major cause of the greenhouse effect?
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carbon dioxide in the water
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soot from coal plants in the water
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soot from coal plants in the atmosphere
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carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The major cause of the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To arrive at this answer, let's break down the options provided:
1. Carbon dioxide in the water: While the oceans do absorb and release carbon dioxide, it is not the major cause of the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide predominantly accumulates and contributes to the greenhouse effect in the Earth's atmosphere.
2. Soot from coal plants in the water: The presence of soot in water, originating from coal plants, does not directly induce the greenhouse effect. Soot particles may indirectly affect climate change by altering the reflectivity or absorption of solar radiation, but it is not the primary cause of the greenhouse effect.
3. Soot from coal plants in the atmosphere: Similar to the previous option, soot particles produced by coal plants in the atmosphere can indirectly influence climate change but are not the primary cause of the greenhouse effect.
4. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: This option correctly identifies carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as the major cause of the greenhouse effect. Certain gases, including carbon dioxide, trap heat from the Sun within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect and subsequent global warming.
Therefore, the correct answer is "carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."