Influences of the different elements in processes associated with cosmic rays represented as fractional proportions on a log scale. Left: Galactic cosmic-ray abundance. Middle: relevance of the cosmic-ray elements in processes proportional to Z², i.e. typically the radiolytic destruction of ices constituents. Right: relevance of the cosmic-ray elements in processes proportional to Z⁴, i.e. typically associated with the electronic sputtering mechanisms discussed in this article.