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Examinations of Antarctic ice cores reveals atmospheric concentrations of CO2 have varied from 250 ppm to 290 ppm over the past eight hundred thousand (800,000) years. The natural rate of change was typically about 5 ppm per thousand years, between these two extremes.
Beginning in the year 1700, atmospheric CO2 concentrations rose rapidly from 280 ppm to 290 ppm. This was some ten times faster than at any time in the previous 800,000 years, though still not any real cause for alarm. At that rate it would have taken centuries more to pass 350 ppm, which many scientists consider a possible maximum sustainable level.
From 1900 to 1950 CO2 levels rose another 10 ppm, to 300. Now instead of ten times faster than any natural rate of change, CO2 was climbing 40 times its natural fluctuation rate. From 1950 to 1960 it rose 15 ppm, climbing at 133 times the natural rate. Between 1970 and 1975 it rose from 325 to 330 ppm, accelerating to 200 times the natural rate of fluctuation. We passed 350 ppm in 1988, and we are now close to 400 ppm. Before 2050 we will pass 500 ppm.
The concern is that earth's natural carbon sinks cannot cope with this rapid change, and that the increase will drive up the temperature. Earth's permafrost also contains billions of tons of CO2 and methane (CH4). Methane is about 25 times as potent a greenhouse gas as CO2 is. As the permafrost melts, the release of this gas is expected to create a feedback loop further accelerating earth's warming.
The consequences of global warming are only barely being realized now, with slightly increased storm energy and slightly greater incidence of coastal flooding. As sea levels gradually rise from melting glacial water, these effects are expected to become more pronounced. There is enough ice in Greenland to raise ocean levels close to 20 feet.
What else can I help you with?
What substance is removed from the atmosphere so that plants can carry out photosynthesis?
That is carbon dioxide. It is a raw material
Why is the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air so low when so much is given off through burning fossil fuels?
Don't concentrate on how carbon dioxide competes with other gases such as Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon in the total percentages but rather the change in the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air over time. It is generally agreed that carbon dioxide levels are higher now than ever before due to fossil fuels.
Why carbon-dioxide supports the combustion of magnesium?
Carbon dioxide does not support the combustion of magnesium; it acts as a fire suppressant by displacing oxygen. Combustion requires oxygen, so the presence of carbon dioxide can inhibit the reaction by reducing the concentration of oxygen available for combustion.
Where do plant get carbon dioxide form?
Plants get Carbon dioxide from the air. The leaves on the plant are held up in the air by the leaf stalk so that they can be exposed to as much air as possible. The carbon dioxide then diffuses into the leaves where it is combined with hydrogen during the reduction reaction.
What does it mean to say that algae fuel is carbon neutral?
Carbon neutral means that algae fuel does not affect the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Algae takes in carbon dioxide as it grows, then, when the fuel is burnt, this same carbon dioxide is released. No increase, just exactly the same amount. This is why biofuel is so much better than fossil fuel which releases carbon that had been hidden underground for millions of years, so adding to the levels in the atmosphere.
Does sugar have carbon dioxide?
It is said that salt is in sand so it does not have carbon-dioxide
Is a carbon dioxide a electolyte?
carbon dioxide will keep you alive but will not quench your thirst so no it is not.
What substance is removed from the atmosphere so that plants can carry out photosynthesis?
That is carbon dioxide. It is a raw material
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 if you breathed in too much carbon dioxide?
Air contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and other compounds. We take carbon dioxide into our lungs all the time, but our lungs keep the oxygen. However, if you were in a room with ONLY carbon dioxide, you would die--not from carbon dioxide per se, but from lack of oxygen.
How much atoms of carbon and of oxygen are in each molecule of carbon dioxide?
The name "carbon dioxide" tells you what it is made of and how many atoms are involved, as long as you know that "di" is one of the syllables that means "two." So one molecule of carbon dioxide has one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen.
Does sprite have carbon dioxide in it?
Yes, carbon dioxide is added to sodas such as Sprite.
Why do planes let off so much CO2?
Carbon dioxide is the product for burning reaction of kerosene.
Why is carbon the framework for so many compounds?
because carbon is carbon dioxide based so you will die.
Does carbon contain carbon dioxide?
Carbon itself is a chemical element that exists in various forms like graphite and diamond. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a compound made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. So, carbon itself does not contain carbon dioxide, but it can combine with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
What roles do producers play in carbon cycle?
producers take in carbon dioxide from photosynthesis and so they create the system because consumers eat the producers they get carbon and so on so forth.we eventually release that carbon into the air as carbon dioxide.
Why is the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air so low when so much is given off through burning fossil fuels?
Don't concentrate on how carbon dioxide competes with other gases such as Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon in the total percentages but rather the change in the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air over time. It is generally agreed that carbon dioxide levels are higher now than ever before due to fossil fuels.
