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Answered
In Chemistry
When did the atmosphere have the most carbon dioxide?
There is geologic evidence for high atmospheric concentrations of CO2 in the distant past--in the Paleozoic. Organisms pulled billions of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere ove…r millions of years to form the great Permian coal and oil deposits we are mining now. Limestone and formations also represent billions of tons of CO2 being sequestered by small hard shelled marine organisms. Fifty million years ago a freshwater fern known as azolla grew in Arctic regions. When it died it sank to the sea floor, where it did not rot in the cold water. Over a few hundred thousand years this fern pulled billions of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere which cooled the earth down enough to cause an ice age. A series of ice ages occurred after that. So CO2 levels have risen and fallen, but they have not exceeded 280 ppm in the past 300,000 years, nor 300 ppm in the past 20 million years. However, between 1700 and 1900 CO2 shot up from 280 to 290 ppm--incredibly fast. From 1900 to 1950 CO2 rose again to 300 ppm. Today it is close to 400 ppm, and we will pass 500 ppm before 2050. So over the past 20 million years, last year was the year the atmosphere had the most CO2, which we have been able to say for every year of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will be able to say the same thing next year about this year. (MORE)
Answered Most Recently
How does carbon dioxide hurt the atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide doesn't really hurt the atmosphere. Venus and Mars both have atmospheres comprised primarily of CO2. CO2 is also a necessary constituent of our atmosphere for …plant respiration (photosynthesis) and for keeping the earth warm. What is harmed by increasing the abundance of CO2 are the many species that have become acclimated to the current temperature, including our own species. As CO2 levels rise, we expect storm energy to increase, making for more violent weather conditions. Glacial melt water will raise ocean levels, flooding many low lying coastal areas. There will be numerous other harms, but none to the atmosphere itself, particularly. (MORE)
Answered
In Biology
Why should carbon dioxide be prevented from entering the atmosphere?
Because we take in oxygen, and plants carbon dioxide. But if the carbon dioxide gets more in the air{atmosphere} then, the plants too, will give out caarbon dioxide as a resul…t, we will die as there will be no oxygen in the air. Because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which contributes to Global Warming/ The Greenhouse Effect. It causes more of the radiation from the sun to be trapped by the earth's atmosphere, heating up the planet, which then melts the polar ice caps, which causes flooding and all sorts of other problems. (MORE)
In Maintenance
Net Climate Benefit: Trees and Carbon Dioxide
Trees offer more than a shade and scenery; they are also essential components of the Earth's balance, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Without the photosynthetic process…es of trees, people could not survive on Earth.Trees create the energy they need to grow, produce fruit and repair damage by combining several ingredients. These ingredients include water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. The process of combining these materials, called photosynthesis, creates usable energy and unneeded oxygen. This oxygen is then released as a waste product. Thus trees effectively turn carbon dioxide into oxygen.Different types of sizes of tree use different degrees of carbon dioxide. An average tree stores around 13 pounds of carbon every year. This means that an acre of trees can store 2.6 tons of carbon per year, which is slightly more than the average person produces (2.3 tons per year).Although trees sequester carbon in the air, they can't eliminate threats of global warming from carbon dioxide emissions. There are not enough trees to offset the amount of carbon dioxide sent into the atmosphere; a single person's carbon dioxide output requires almost an entire acre of trees, to say nothing of large factories and cars. Additionally, tree cover is rapidly dwindling, as logging and farming operations clear large swaths of forest. During these forest clearing processes, much of the sequestered carbon is released, counteracting the benefit of the trees.Although trees, like all plants, are known for their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the air, they also sometimes produce carbon dioxide. Specifically, at night, when sunlight is not available for trees to photosynthesize, they produce some carbon dioxide during respiration. A growing tree takes in much more carbon dioxide than it releases on average, making trees generally a good source for removing carbon dioxide from the air.Trees are nature's prime carbon dioxide filters. In order to grow and perform basic life functions, trees must use the carbon dioxide in the air to create energy. This causes trees to take in carbon dioxide and release breathable oxygen as a byproduct.Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon or greenhouse gas emitted in the course of operating a company or running a houseful of appliances. Planting trees is one way to offset your own carbon footprint, and a single tree can supply enough oxygen for your survival. (MORE)
Carbon Dioxide Formula and Information
There are a number of different elements that are relatively common, even in everyday speech. One of these is oxygen, which most people know of as something that is in the air… and allows them to breathe. Another is carbon, which is found in ash, pencils, car hoods, and even the human body. Put them together, with two oxygen to one carbon, and you get another common term: carbon dioxide. The following items explore the formula of carbon dioxide and its chemical characteristics.Carbon dioxide's name is a good clue to what the formula is. It is composed of a single carbon atom that has bonded with two oxygen atoms. The result is the two simply laid out according to chemical principles, where the lower atomic numbers come first in the formula, and this formula is CO2. The only part of the name that might take explaining concerning this result is di, which is a prefix used in organic chemistry to signify two of something. Though this is a part of modern speech too, such as how dissect is to divide something into two sections.Part of the makeup of carbon dioxide is that it is used in the carbon cycle that allows plants, algae, and a number of other organic systems to produce their own energy and food sources. When they do this, they take the carbon and dispose of the oxygen, leading to an accumulation of fresh O2, which in turn is something that the human body uses to maintain its own health.Carbon dioxide comes from a number of different sources. One of the most obvious one is living organisms, including humans. When a living organism takes in air and uses up the oxygen, it breathes out carbon dioxide. This then passes to plant which reverse that process and send the air back for use again. It is also produced by the combustion of carbon fuel sources such as coal and gasoline, as well as by the fermentation of sugar in the production of alcohol, which includes beer and wine.One of the biggest problems relating to carbon dioxide is that it is a green house gas, or a gas that will get trapped in the earth's atmosphere and will prevent some of the sun's rays from leaving the earth after they have reflected off its oceans and surface. In general, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere rose from 320 parts per million in the 1920s to nearly 400 parts per million by 2013. As this continues to rise, the greenhouse effects will only get worse, making it necessary to figure out how to break the simple formula apart.Dividing carbon dioxide into its constituent parts is something that plants do very nicely. This quick and simple alteration of their formula, therefore, is something that humans need to figure out how to produce on a much larger scale. For the production of this simple gas is building up over time, and despite is straightforward formula there is yet to be a good solution. Thus, consider what you are doing the next time you drive or add more CO2 to the environment, and think about what you might be able to do to reduce some of that production.The discovery of carbon dioxide was by a Flemish scientist known as Jan Bapstista van Helmont, who identified a gas given off by burning wood, which he called "wood gas" at the time. (MORE)
In Reactions
Carbon Dioxide Poisoning Facts and Dangers
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that the human body naturally produces and needs. Everyone is exposed to some degree to this gas every day. Carbon dioxide is not considered toxi…c at its normal, lower levels, but at higher levels it can be toxic enough to cause symptoms and can be fatal. Carbon dioxide poisoning should not be confused with carbon monoxide poisoning. The following will cover the facts about carbon dioxide poisoning and whether you should be concerned about it.If you have ever consumed a carbonated beverage, you have also consumed low levels of carbon dioxide. This gas is used in the carbonation of sodas and other carbonated beverages. This gas is also used in fire extinguishers to prevent oxygen from fueling fires, in fertilizers, plastics, welding, and for medical and industrial applications. It's a very commonly used gas.Carbon dioxide is one of the safest and least toxic chemicals you will ever use. People use it when they use use baking powder and baking soda, and it's a gas that the body produces naturally. Only at excessive levels is carbon dioxide toxic. Carbon dioxide decreases the concentration of oxygen in the body which means at increased levels the body can suffer from asphyxiation or anoxia. When the oxygen levels are too low the dangers of carbon dioxide poisoning include impaired brain function, breathing difficulties, coma, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, and death. The terms for elevated tissue and blood levels of carbon dioxide are hypercarbia and hypercapnia.The treatment for carbon dioxide poisoning or intoxication is to bring down the level of this gas in the tissues and bloodstream. It's possible for an individual with a mild case to breath normal air to reduce the levels. If the symptoms persist, or the carbon dioxide intoxication is beyond mild, emergency medical attention is required. Even if the carbon dioxide poisoning is mild, it's important to contact a doctor for instructions.Normal blood carbon dioxide gas levels are between 20 and 50 milliliters/Hg which translates to around a 2.7 to 7.5 percent concentration. Carbon dioxide levels that reach 20 percent or higher are highly toxic. This level will present with the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning.Carbon dioxide poisoning can occur from hypoventilation (a decrease in breathing rate). This can occur at high altitudes or where the environmental levels of this gas are abnormally high. Scuba divers can experience carbon dioxide intoxication due to faulty equipment or poor training. It's also a factor in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Other things that can cause carbon dioxide poisoning include re-breathing exhaled air in tight spaces or in confined or airtight spaces, cigarette smoking, inhaling spray paint fumes, and other environmental factors. There is little to be concerned about when it comes to CO2 intoxication unless you live near an area that has high levels of the gas in the air, you sleep in tight quarters, or partake in any of the above activities.Carbon dioxide is necessary in the human body for functions like vasodilation, nerve stabilization, muscle relaxation, oxygen transport and regulation, bronchodilation, pH levels in the blood, inflammatory response, and in tissue and skin healing. Even though carbon dioxide poisoning is relatively rare, it's still wise to have a basic understanding of what causes it, how to recognize it, how to treat it, and when to seek medical attention. Avoiding situations that can cause carbon dioxide poisoning is the best way to prevent it. When that is not possible, the most important course of action is to get the person to an environment with good air and call for an ambulance.Carbon dioxide is dry ice in its solid form and is very cold. While it's not considered toxic, it can cause frostbite if you touch it. Dry ice should be kept away from small children and pets, and should be kept in a well-ventilated area. (MORE)
In Ecosystems
Photosynthesis: How Trees Produce Oxygen From Water and Carbon Dioxide
You cannot exaggerate the vital function trees perform toward maintaining human life on planet Earth. The oxygen you need to survive comes from trees, and carbon dioxide combi…ned with water are the ingredients trees use. Photosynthesis is the process by which trees use these ingredients to make the sugar they need to grow and also produce a continuous supply of fresh air. The word photosynthesis means "putting together with light." It describes the importance of sunlight in the chemical process that occurs. Even with the basic ingredients of water and carbon dioxide, trees cannot create glucose without this catalyst.In trees, carbon dioxide is absorbed through pores in the leaves called stomata. Water is delivered from the roots to the leaves via xylem cells in the trunk and branches. Leaves also contain chlorophyll, a green substance which absorbs sunlight, setting the chemical reaction into motion. The photosynthetic process takes place in the trees' leaves.Einstein's Law of the Conservation of Energy states that "energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another." Therefore, the production of one type of energy is measured by the efficiency with which it is converted from another type. In the case of photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy, or the sugar glucose, at a rate of 3 to 6 percent. To put that into perspective, the solar panels on your roof convert light energy into electrical energy with an average of 12 percent efficiency. Oxygen is not the product of photosynthesis that a tree needs or uses; it is a waste by-product. A molecule of carbon dioxide is made from atoms of carbon and oxygen. Water is made from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. Photosynthesis causes the electrons to shuffle around between molecules to create glucose, which is made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Some oxygen is left over, and it is expelled as waste through pores in the tree's leaves. Trees and humans enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. Trees produce the oxygen you need to live, and you produce the carbon dioxide trees need for photosynthesis. The next time you contemplate the verdant beauty of a forest, take a moment to deeply inhale the fresh, clean air that trees provide. Photosynthesis occurs in all green parts of the plant. This is because chlorophyll is a pigment, and it reflects mostly greenish-yellow light. Other common photosynthetic plant pigments are red, yellow and purple. (MORE)
The Basics of Carbon Dioxide Injection in Freshwater Planted Aquariums
If you are growing an aquarium with plants and have noticed they grow slowly, you may need to add carbon dioxide, or CO2, to your tank. Injecting CO2 into your aquarium is eas…ier than ever, and it will help your plants flourish.In order to grow their best, plants need several things for photosynthesis. They need water, light and CO2. During photosynthesis, plants take up CO2 and water, and they convert it to oxygen. The oxygen is then released back into the aquarium. It plants do not get enough light or CO2, then they grow poorly. If your tank has sufficient lighting, you may need to add a CO2 injection system in order for your plants to grow well. Small tanks that are 20 gallons or less may not need additional CO2. Large, planted aquaria, however, often require carbon dioxide injection to thrive.While you want to add carbon dioxide to your tank to improve plant growth, adding too much CO2 can be harmful to your fish. If the carbon dioxide levels are too high in an aquarium, fish can die. In addition, adding CO2 to the water causes a reaction that lowers the pH. There are several items you will need to control the CO2 injection precisely. These include the following:--CO2 cylinder--Tubing--Pressure regulator--Solenoid--Fine control valve--Bubble counter--Diffuser or reactor--Timer--pH regulator--Carbonate (KH) regulatorSince the CO2 in a cylinder is stored a very high pressure, the pressure regulator is needed to help control the flow. A solenoid is used to shut off CO2 flow in an automated system. A fine control valve, or needle valve, is used to fine-tune the CO2 flow at the rate you need. The number of bubbles per second will vary depending on your plants' specific needs, as well as the fish or coral you may have in your aquarium. The easiest way to automate the entire system is to purchase an integrated CO2 regulator.Increasing carbon dioxide in a tank causes the pH to fall. It can also affect the carbonate, or KH, levels. It is essential to test pH and KH regularly, especially if you have fish. Most aquarium owners keep the CO2 levels at about 15 ppm (parts per million) to enhance plant growth without harming fish.Carbon dioxide reactors or diffusers keep the CO2 in contact with the water longer. These systems either keep the CO2 in the tank longer, or they break up the CO2 bubbles into even smaller bubbles to allow more carbon dioxide to react with the water. This allows more carbon dioxide to reach the plants. Common methods include a CO2 ladder, a bell reactor, or bioballs.KH is the term used for carbonate ions and bicarbonate. The "K" in this term is derived from the German word "karbonate." Carbonate ions serve as a buffer in water to prevent large pH shifts. Typically, it is measured in degrees. If KH is low, large shifts in pH can occur. In planted tanks, calcium carbonate is the best chemical to add to raise KH.Maintaining correct levels of pH, CO2 levels, and KH can be challenging for newer aquarists. With the proper instruments, additives, knowledge and CO2 injection equipment, your planted aquarium will flourish. (MORE)
In Elements
Carbon: It's Elementary
If you look around anywhere you are standing you may not see carbon, but it is there. The carbon atom is present in all living things, especially the water and air needed for …human life. People may take for granted that what they drink and breathe is not harmful. Some chemical combinations of carbon, such as carbon monoxide and cyanide, can be lethal to people. Here is a look at just how versatile and ubiquitous this element is in people's daily lives.The chemical symbol for carbon is C. It has an atomic number of 6, which means that carbon has six protons within its nucleus. The hardest and softest carbon structures are diamond and graphite, respectively. This difference is based on how carbon binds with other elements. Not every element can bind with itself and at the same time combine with other elements. Carbon appears as either black (graphite) or without color (diamond).Carbon is used to produce the crude oil that is turned into the gasoline you buy for your car. Another by-product of crude oil is kerosene, which is predominantly used to heat homes. Many plastics have a raw material base of crude oil. Another notable use of carbon is the process of carbon-dating fossils and other artifacts. Carbon is found in pencils in the form of graphite and is a component of steel.The sun, stars, and planets all contain carbon, whether by itself or compounded. There are some 10 million carbon compounds known to science. The meteorites you see flashing across the sky contain diamonds not visible to the naked eye. A predominant component of limestone, marble, and dolomite is the carbon atom. Most diamond mines are located on the continent of Africa. Carbon is the second most abundant element found in the human body, with oxygen being the largest in terms of mass.Carbon dioxide is invisible, but your body exhales it daily as you breathe. When the body needs energy, it breaks down sugar, fats, and amino acids and forms water and carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, can poison human beings when high concentrations of the gas are inhaled and it compounds with hemoglobin in the blood. Carbon suboxide is another oxide; it smells bad but doesn't affect humans adversely.The lives of animals, plants, and the soil are intertwined so that the carbon cycle continues. What humans breathe out as carbon dioxide is used by plants. Animals eat the carbon in plants and it is again breathed out. Carbon is released by the burning of petroleum and coal. Stores of carbon exist in the earth's crust, and ocean life absorbs and releases carbon into the atmosphere. There is a great exchange of carbon occurring at every moment.Not only do you need carbon to fuel your body, but it also sustains you as a necessary ingredient in water. Carbon helps keep you warm and makes diamonds shine. The carbon atom demands a deep respect. This element is not only exceptionally beneficial in people's day-to-day lives, it is essential. Without carbon, life on Earth would not exist.Carbon has the highest melting point of all of the elements: 6,442 degrees Fahrenheit. (MORE)
Answered
Why is more carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere?
because we have a greater demand for fossil fuels and when you burn fossil fuels a lot of carbon dioxide is released
Answered
In Biology
Why should excess carbon dioxide be prevented from entering the atmosphere?
Because it is a greenhouse gas and can cause the heat from the sun to be trapped in the atmosphere which will heat up the planet and melt the ice caps and then cause flooding …plus other bad things. (MORE)
Answered
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enters the biotic parts of the biosphere through what?
Photosynthesis: carbon dioxide enters plants, biotic parts of the biosphere, and in return oxygen is released. :)
