Greenhouse Gas: Carbon Dioxide

Thuan, Marko

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Colorless & odorless gas

Ice Age (400 kyBCE) - 185 ppm

Preindustrial (1700s)- 278 ppm

Global average (June ‘11) - 391 ppm

Natural state of CO2?

Natural Variations of CO2

SinksPhotosynthesisIceThe World’s Oceans

SourcesCombustionVolcanoes, Forest FiresCarbonate Rocks

Increase of CO2 associated with seasonal cyclesPositive feedback

Anthropogenic Changes

Ice core sampling228 ppm to 391 ppm

Rapid climate changeOver short period

CO2 Levels expected to increase

Vostok Ice Core Data

391ppm (2011)