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If you look at a globe, you will notice that the majority of the land area of the earth lies north of the equator. As a result, more vegetation exists on the earth when it is summer in the northern hemisphere than exists when it is summer in the southern hemisphere. More vegetation means that more CO2 can be sequestered. The annual CO2 cycle is the result.

If you want a good visualization of this process: watch An Inconvenient Truth - it is all explained there

It's a bit more than that, during winter plants release CO2, so during the summer more O2 is released and CO2 sequestered, and in the winter the process is reversed (O2 being used in the respiration by detrivores). Since, as has already been stated, most land mass is in the Northern Hemisphere there is not enough Southern summer growth to balance the CO2/ O2 and so the concentrations cycle.

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What causes the fluctuation in the level of atmospheric CO2 throughout the year?

The fluctuation in atmospheric CO2 levels throughout the year is primarily caused by the seasonal cycle of plant growth and decay. During the growing season, plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, reducing the levels in the atmosphere. In the winter, when plants are dormant and decomposing, CO2 is released back into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in levels.


How do CO2 levels vary throughout the year?

Throughout the year, CO2 levels fluctuate due to natural processes such as photosynthesis and respiration in plants. During the spring and summer months, plants absorb more CO2, leading to lower levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, during the fall and winter months, when plants are dormant, CO2 levels tend to rise as there is less absorption. Additionally, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, can also contribute to fluctuations in CO2 levels throughout the year.


What causes the fluctuation in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere throughout a single year?

The fluctuation in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere throughout a single year is primarily caused by seasonal changes in plant growth and decay, as well as human activities such as burning fossil fuels.


What enters the Calvin cycle from the atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters the Calvin cycle from the atmosphere. This CO2 is used by plants during photosynthesis to produce glucose.


What causes the pattern of change in CO2 concentration within each year?

The pattern of change in CO2 concentration within each year is primarily caused by natural processes such as plant growth and decay, as well as human activities like burning fossil fuels. These processes release and absorb CO2, leading to fluctuations in its concentration throughout the year.

Related Questions

What causes the fluctuation in the level of atmospheric CO2 throughout the year?

The fluctuation in atmospheric CO2 levels throughout the year is primarily caused by the seasonal cycle of plant growth and decay. During the growing season, plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, reducing the levels in the atmosphere. In the winter, when plants are dormant and decomposing, CO2 is released back into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in levels.


How do CO2 levels vary throughout the year?

Throughout the year, CO2 levels fluctuate due to natural processes such as photosynthesis and respiration in plants. During the spring and summer months, plants absorb more CO2, leading to lower levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, during the fall and winter months, when plants are dormant, CO2 levels tend to rise as there is less absorption. Additionally, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, can also contribute to fluctuations in CO2 levels throughout the year.


What microbes grow better at elevated CO2 concentrations?

capnophiles


What causes the fluctuation in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere throughout a single year?

The fluctuation in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere throughout a single year is primarily caused by seasonal changes in plant growth and decay, as well as human activities such as burning fossil fuels.


Why are co2 levels higher now than before?

CO2 levels are higher now primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing an imbalance in the natural carbon cycle and leading to increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere.


What the steps of the oxygen cycle?

oxygen is breathed in we use it co2 let out plants take co2 in cycle repeats


What are the dangers associated with carbon dioxide to humans?

In high concentrations CO2 is lethal.


What effect is the destruction of forests likely to have atmospheric CO2 concentrations?

the increased CO2 levels since the destruction of forests will be fixed by photosynthesis


What enters the Calvin cycle from the atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters the Calvin cycle from the atmosphere. This CO2 is used by plants during photosynthesis to produce glucose.


How does clearing forests upset the balance of the carbon cycle?

Clearing forests disrupts the carbon cycle by releasing stored carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere when trees are cut down and burned or decomposed. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 during photosynthesis; their removal reduces this capacity, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels. This imbalance contributes to climate change, as higher CO2 concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat in the atmosphere. Overall, deforestation decreases biodiversity and alters local ecosystems, further exacerbating the impacts on the carbon cycle.


What is the substrate of the Calvin cycle?

CO2


How do seasons affect CO2 levels?

Seasons affect CO2 levels primarily due to the growth cycles of plants. During spring and summer, plants absorb more carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, leading to a decrease in atmospheric CO2 levels. Conversely, in autumn and winter, plant respiration and decay processes release CO2 back into the atmosphere, resulting in higher levels during these colder months. This seasonal cycle contributes to the annual fluctuations in atmospheric CO2 concentrations.