MadSci Network: Environment & Ecology |
I'm not sure I entirely understand your question, but let me start at the end -- CO2 is not a commonly found natural by product. There ARE natural sources (and "sinks") of carbon dioxide, namely: - Animal and plant respiration. Conveniently, plant photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere; - Ocean-atmosphere exchange, where the oceans absorb, then release CO2 at the sea surface; and - Volcanic eruptions, which release carbon from rocks. Other than that, you'll be hard-pressed to find natural sources of CO2, especially from fossil fuels. 100 years from now? If all fossil fuel use was stopped, right now, the CO2 from *those* emissions would likely have been scrubbed from the atmosphere. Animal, human and plant respiration, ocean-atmosphere exchange and volcanic eruption carbon production (while minimal) would certainly produce a considerable amount of CO2 for the atmosphere's balance -- our little plants would have to scrub their little leaves out, especially if populations continue to grow the way they are now. I'm not a betting woman, so I wouldn't really assign percentages to these things... Best of luck, Marie-Helene Mad Scientist
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