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The planet has a number of huge carbon sinks, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The largest is the ocean, as CO2 dissolves. This absorbs roughly 80% of all carbon dioxide.

Other sinks are photosynthesis by vegetation and phytoplankton, and the weathering of silicate rock. For more details, read about the carbon cycle.

Currently, sources of carbon must outweigh the sinks because atmospheric CO2 is increasing globally by roughly 2 parts per million by volume per year, as can be seen in the NOAA measurements of atmospheric CO2. CO2 is even higher in cities and industrial areas, in places where fossil fuels are being burnt in quantity.

The easiest way for us to reduce the carbon dioxide levels is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is the scientific consensus view, and is the view held by the IPCC, all major scientific bodies and national academies of science around the world.

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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.


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.


How did the formation of coal decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the earths early atmosphere?

The formation of coal removed carbon dioxide from the Earth's early atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. Plants absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stored it in their tissues. When these plants died and were buried, the carbon they had absorbed remained trapped in the coal deposits, thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.


What increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as a carbon source?

Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and deforestation increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Respiration and other aspects of the carbon cycle do not increase the amount as a similar volume is being removed at the same time.


Does clearing a forest increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Yes because trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and store the carbon.

Related Questions

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.


Which process increases the amount of oxygen and decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Photosynthesis by green vegetation and forests.


Would a forest fire affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Forest fires increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere


Which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as carbon dioxide?

Respiration :)


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 atmosphere contains a large amount of carbon Dixie?

Assuming you mean "carbon dioxide", the atmosphere of Venus is made up mainly of carbon dioxide.


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 increases the amount carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as a carbon source?

Respiration :)


Which increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as a carbon source?

Respiration :)


Which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as a carbon course?

respiration


Which increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as a carbon sources?

Respiration :)


Which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acting as carbon source?

Respiration :)