Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere between 1000 and 1800 were steady around 280 ppm (parts per million). Levels now (2013) are approaching 400 ppm.
Ancient photosynthetic bacteria transformed the carbon dioxide atmosphere into oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Over billions of years, these organisms released oxygen as a byproduct, eventually leading to the oxygen-rich atmosphere we have today that you breathe.
The fast carbon cycle involves processes that occur relatively quickly, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and oceans. In contrast, the slow carbon cycle involves processes that take longer, like the weathering of rocks and the formation of sedimentary rocks, which sequester carbon over millions of years.
Locked up carbon dioxide refers to carbon dioxide that is trapped and stored underground in geological formations, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. This process, known as carbon capture and storage, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
The difference between the short and long carbon cycle is that the short cycle emphasizes the interaction between the biosphere and atmosphere while the long cycle emphasizes the formation and destruction of fossil fuels.
300 years ago, carbon flows were primarily driven by natural processes such as plant respiration and decomposition. Today, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly increased carbon emissions, leading to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This has disrupted the balance of carbon flows, contributing to global warming and climate change.
A small amount of carbon dioxide is all it takes to keep the earth comfortably warm for millions of years. A small increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is all it takes to cause global warming and threaten the future of the human race.
Most of our fuel is fossil fuel, that is, coal, oil and natural gas. When these are used for fuel (by burning) they release carbon which has been stored in them for millions of years. This is adding to the amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere.
Respiration, breathing, has no effect on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is part of the natural carbon cycle. Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) releases carbon dioxide that has been hidden away for millions of years. This extra gas is increasing in the atmosphere.
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These activities release carbon that has been stored for millions of years, adding to the greenhouse effect and contributing to climate change.
The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stayed constant for thousands of years because of the carbon cycle, which moves carbon throughout the air, oceans and land. There was also no burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), and nobody had cut down the great forests of the world.
None. Plants recycle carbon dioxide continuously.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been increasing steadily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions include transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and reforestation. However, these efforts have not been enough to offset the overall increase in carbon dioxide levels.
The greenhouse effect does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect happens because of the carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere.It is the burning of fossil fuels that increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Burning coal, oil and natural gas releases age-old carbon dioxide that was laid down underground millions of years ago, so letting it free now puts an impossible burden on the carbon cycle, which cannot remove it.
Yes (higher= less oxygen, and vice-versa for lower.) actually the oxygen ratio remains the same but air gets less dense at altitude so you have to breathe a lot more air to get the oxygen you need
Carbon Dioxide
Almost half the mass of a tree is carbon, taken from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. A tree only takes in carbon when it is growing, and the amount that a tree grows in a year varies from tree to tree. Old trees are bigger and grow more than young trees in a year, usually.
Bio fuel emits carbon dioxide (CO2) that was removed from the atmosphere when the plant grew (this year, probably). Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) emit carbon dioxide that has been hidden away for millions of years. So using biofuel instead of fossil fuel means that less carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere.