Concept explainers
Changes in the Air To assess the impact of human activity on the carbon dioxide level in Earth’s atmosphere, it helps to take a long view. One useful data set comes from deep core samples of Antarctic ice. The oldest ice core that has been fully analyzed dates back a bit more than 400,000 years. Air bubbles trapped in the ice provide information about the gas content in Earth’s atmosphere at the time the ice formed. Combining ice core data with more recent direct measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide—as in FIGURE 46.13—can help scientists put current changes in the atmospheric carbon dioxide into historical perspective.
FIGURE 46.13 Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels (in parts per million). Direct measurements began in 1980. Earlier data are based on ice cores.
What was the highest carbon dioxide level between 400,000 B.C. and 0 A.D.?
To determine: The highest carbon dioxide level between 400, 000 B.C. and 0 A.D.
Introduction: The carbon dioxide concentration is rising, and the present-day concentration is highest in 15 million years. It is more of as a result of human activities that contributed in increase in carbon dioxide level in the Earth’s atmosphere. The major contribution is by burning of fossil fuels that releases high amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. This impacts climate and ecosystems.
Answer to Problem 1DAA
Correct answer: The highest carbon dioxide level between 400, 000 B.C. and 0 A.D. is 300 ppm.
Explanation of Solution
Refer Fig. 46.13, “Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels (in parts per million)”, in the textbook. The graphical representation shows the atmospheric carbon dioxide (ppm) measured from deep core samples of Antarctic ice. The air bubbles trapped in the ice gives information regarding the gas content in the Earth’s atmosphere at the time the ice was formed. The oldest ice sample analyzed dates back to more than 400, 000 years. According to the graphical data, the highest level of carbon dioxide between 400, 000 B.C. and 0 A.D was 300 ppm. There were many variations (highs and lows) in the levels during this period.
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