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Humans emit over 30 billion tons of CO2 per year. Before the industrial revolution CO2 measured about 200 parts per million. Today it exceeds 400 ppm, and by 2050 we expect to exceed 500 ppm.
The entire atmosphere weighs about 5x1018 kg, of which 78% is nitrogen (N2) and 21% is oxygen (O2). 0.04% is CO2. The Atomic Mass of carbon is 12, and oxygen is 16, so carbon is 12/(12+16+16) or 27% of the mass of CO2. Multiplying these numbers together, we obtain the total mass of carbon locked up as CO2 in our atmosphere: 0.27 x .0004 x 5x1018 kg = 540 trillion kg of carbon.
This amounts to about 600 billion tons currently. The addition of 8 billion tons a year may not seem like much in comparison, but it is cumulative. In 40 years that will be another 300 billion tons of carbon.
What else can I help you with?
Is there more nitrogen or carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere?
There is much more nitrogen in earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Nitrogen forms about 79%, while carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04%.
Does respiration decrease or increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Respiration (breathing) has no effect on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Breathing is part of the carbon cycle. We take in carbon in our food and drink and we release it again when we breathe. If we eat too much, the extra carbon is stored in our bodies, making us fatter, in much the same way as a tree stores carbon in its wood as it grows.So breathing does not increase or decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Which processes in the carbon cycle decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis is the main process in the carbon cycle that decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into carbohydrates and oxygen. This helps to store carbon and reduce the overall concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What would happen to the atmosphere's temperatures if there wasn't any carbon dioxide?
The atmosphere would be slightly cooler than it is now if there were no carbon dioxide in it. Carbon dioxide is just one of several so-called "greenhouse gasses". It is second in importance to water vapor, a very distant second. So, if all the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere suddenly disappeared, it would not affect temperatures very much. What you have to worry about is the effect on plant life. Plants cannot survive without carbon dioxide. No trees, no crops. Fortunately, it's just not possible to deplete all of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Even over the long term. There are plenty of sources for carbon dioxide, including the burning of fossil fuels and respiration of animal life. And if that all ran out, then you have about a hundred times as much CO2 stored in the oceans as there is in the atmosphere, and that would go back into the atmosphere rather quickly.
Why is it important for the earth to have some carbon dioxide in its atmosphere?
The natural greenhouse effect (helped by carbon dioxide) keeps the earth warm.The enhanced (or accelerated) greenhouse effect (from too much carbon dioxide) is causing global warming.
Is there more nitrogen or carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere?
There is much more nitrogen in earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Nitrogen forms about 79%, while carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04%.
How much carbon dioxide emission has increased over the past 250 years?
By 38 percent
Does respiration decrease or increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Respiration (breathing) has no effect on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Breathing is part of the carbon cycle. We take in carbon in our food and drink and we release it again when we breathe. If we eat too much, the extra carbon is stored in our bodies, making us fatter, in much the same way as a tree stores carbon in its wood as it grows.So breathing does not increase or decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Will planting trees improve carbon dioxide levels?
In the short term, yes. As the trees grow, they sequester carbon from the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by turning it into wood. However, when the tree dies and decays or burns, much of that carbon returns to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Which processes in the carbon cycle decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis is the main process in the carbon cycle that decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into carbohydrates and oxygen. This helps to store carbon and reduce the overall concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Will the amount carbon dioxide the atmosphere soon be greater than the Amount of oxygen?
No, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere is much greater than the amount of carbon dioxide. The current levels of carbon dioxide are approximately 0.04% of the atmosphere, while oxygen levels are around 21%.
What planet's atmosphere is most carbon dioxide?
There are two such planets, Mars and Venus. Venus has a much thicker atmosphere than Mars, but both atmospheres are about 95% carbon dioxide.
Where is carbon in the atmosphere mostly found?
Carbon in the atmosphere is mostly found in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), which makes up about 0.04% of the atmosphere. Carbon can also exist in the form of methane (CH4) and other greenhouse gases in smaller concentrations.
What planets have carbon dioxide?
Venus and Mars are two planets in our solar system that have significant amounts of carbon dioxide in their atmospheres. Venus has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, while Mars has a much thinner atmosphere with trace amounts of carbon dioxide.
How much more carbon dioxide is there than oxygen?
There is approximately 2,500 times more carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere than oxygen (O2). The concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere is around 20.95%, while carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04%.
Does Mars have am atmosphere?
Yes, but it is much thinner than Earth's atmosphere, and has considerably more carbon dioxide.
What gas in the atmosphere was absorbed by the oceans as they formed?
The ocean water absorbed much of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
