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Observatories Lab

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Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to determine if there has been an increase or decrease in CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels based on data collected from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observatories from 1990 to 2005 and to establish the reason for the change.
Introduction
Carbon dioxide is defined as a colorless, odorless gas and is naturally present in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released during respiration and combustion and is intimately connected with the cycles of plant and animal life (Robinson, 2003). For millions of years, the production of greenhouses gases was regulated by the natural systems of the Earth and maintained at levels that supported life around the world (Platt, 2013). It has believed that anthropogenic effects (conditions caused by human activity) that are associated with industry, agriculture, and fossil fuel use have increased the amount of CO2 to levels more than what the planet can naturally regulate, and as a result, contributes to atmospheric warming or the greenhouse effect (M.U.S.E. Sources of CO2 Emissions, 2013). The laboratory applied data collected from five observatories located in Alaska, American Samoa, Antarctica, Greenland, and Hawaii.
Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome …show more content…

The observatories collect remote atmospheric and solar measurements via a Dobson spectrophotometer to determine stratospheric ozone levels according to the ESRL Global Monitoring Division (2016). Observations of the carbon dioxide levels from the lab were noted.
Results/Outcome
The results of the atmospheric and solar measurements tests between the years of 1990 and 2005 shows an average increase of 25.5 percent. The findings concur with the hypothesis of rising levels of carbon dioxide from data collected at all five observatory points and with studies conducted by Svante August Arrhenius in the 1880’s.

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