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They measure it from bubbles of gas trapped in Antarctic ice.

Primarily by the scientific examination of Ice Core Samples taken thousands of feet Deep from thousands of Sites around Earth.

It is an interesting process really. When ice freezes, it has very tiny atmospheric gas bubbles trapped in the ice. There is a place in the Antarctic, known as Lake Vostok, that we are able to take and drill down very deep and get very clean samples of what the air was like. These samples will tell us what the atmosphere was like at a given time, by how far down the sample was taken from. From these cores, we are able to get actual gas bubbles of atmosphere from up to 650,000 years ago.

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How do scientists know that there is more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the air than there was thousands of years ago?

Scientists analyze ice cores, tree rings, and other natural records that trap air from thousands of years ago to measure historical levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. By comparing these data with current atmospheric measurements, scientists can determine that greenhouse gas concentrations have increased significantly over time.


What is an increase in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor?

An increase in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor to global warming.


What are large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide absorbed by?

The ocean absorbs large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and is acidified thereby.


Which increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide contributes to global climate change?

Any increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide contributes to global climate change.


How did Scientists obtain the data on how much carbon dioxide was present in the atmosphere as far back as 800000 years ago?

Scientists obtained data on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from ice core samples extracted from glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Antarctica and Greenland. These ice cores trap air bubbles that contain ancient atmospheric gases, allowing researchers to analyze the composition of the atmosphere at different time periods. By studying the layers of ice, which accumulate annually, scientists can reconstruct historical CO2 levels over the past 800,000 years, providing valuable insights into climate change and atmospheric conditions over millennia.

Related Questions

Where was atmospheric carbon dioxide first collected on a consistent basis?

Scientists and meteorologists only started serious atmospheric studies around 150 yeas ago.


How do scientists know that there is more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the air than there was thousands of years ago?

Scientists analyze ice cores, tree rings, and other natural records that trap air from thousands of years ago to measure historical levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. By comparing these data with current atmospheric measurements, scientists can determine that greenhouse gas concentrations have increased significantly over time.


Why do some scientists theorize that global warming not be the result of increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Some scientists theorize that global warming might not be solely due to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide because there are other factors that can also influence the Earth's climate, such as changes in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, and natural climate variability. They argue that a combination of these factors could be contributing to global warming in addition to carbon dioxide emissions.


Carbon dioxide in atmospheric air amounts to about?

Carbondioxde in atmospheric air amount to about 0.04%.


What has the author A M Campbell written?

A. M. Campbell has written: 'Emission inventory of atmospheric sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide pollutants within the Province of Manitoba for 1981 and 1982' -- subject(s): Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide, Atmospheric sulphur dioxide, Environmental aspects of Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide, Environmental aspects of Atmospheric sulphur dioxide, Environmental aspects of Factory and trade waste, Environmental chemistry, Factory and trade waste


Where do scientists think extra carbon dioxide is coming from?

Scientists believe that the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere primarily comes from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities release carbon that has been stored in the Earth for millions of years, contributing to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.


What Large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide are absorbed by what?

The ocean absorbs large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and is acidified thereby.


What do scientists think will happen if the Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are doubled?

Scientists predict that doubling the Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide levels would lead to a significant increase in global temperatures, resulting in more severe climate change. This could cause widespread impacts such as rising sea levels, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. Efforts to limit carbon dioxide emissions are crucial in order to mitigate these potential consequences.


What is the relationship between the rise of ocean temperatures and the rise in the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide?

The relationship between the rise of ocean temperatures and the rise in the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is that when there is a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide the warmer the temperature of the ocean is


What is an increase in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor?

An increase in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide is the biggest contributor to global warming.


What are large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide absorbed by?

The ocean absorbs large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and is acidified thereby.


What is Venuses atmospheric made of?

carbon dioxide