Estimates range from 0.01% to 0.1%. If there is a 10 fold variance in the CO2 content how can we acurately measure changes in those levels around the globe?
Also how much of this is created by "natural" processes (non-industry)?
2007-02-27 05:43:33 · 3 answers · asked by geojon1 1 in Environment
I can't tell you as far as carbon dioxide. As far as carbon goes, there are 750 billion metric tons in the atmosphere. Cellular respiration releases 60, soils release 90(but this is human influenced. Tilling greatly increases loss of carbon in soil), fires release 1.6 (humans start many fires), plant respiration gives out 60. Volcanoes give out 130 Million metric tons, so .13 billion.
To compare autoemissions give out 6.6 billion metric tons.
Meanwhile water dissolves 92 billion metric tons.
If you look at the EPA's website, there is a converter to go from carbon dioxide to carbon, by weight.
2007-02-27 05:54:53 · answer #1 · answered by justin_at_shr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and retained by the Earth's gravity. It contains roughly 78% nitrogen, (normally inert except upon electrolysis by lightning), 21% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases, in addition to about 3% water vapor. This mixture of gases is commonly known as air. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.
2007-02-27 13:54:38 · answer #2 · answered by sara_p_14 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About 370 parts per million or 0.037%. That is not an estimate, it is a very accurately measured number. It has varied over time, but we can measure its concentration at any point in time very accurately. The source shows how it has only risen above 300 ppm since the industrial revolution.
2007-02-27 13:52:16 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋