CO2: A Vital Component of Our Environment?

[Docscientist]

Homework Statement

What is the importance of CO2 in our environment?

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

CO2 can help is keeping the Earth warm.It can be used by the plants to release oxygen during day.It can be used by decomposers.

 

[Garlic]

I suggest reading the wiki page about CO₂ and making notes. You can skip some parts that are irrelevant to your work and concentrate on the enviornmental factors. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide)
You should emphasize the role of the CO₂ in biological processes and -like you said- the contribution to the glasshouse effect.

 

[Docscientist]

I suggest reading the wiki page about CO₂ and making notes. You can skip some parts that are irrelevant to your work and concentrate on the enviornmental factors. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide)
You should emphasize the role of the CO₂ in biological processes and -like you said- the contribution to the glasshouse effect.

Thank you so much !
CO2 is used in fire exintinguishers.Solid form of CO2 called dry ice is used as refrigerant.It is added to drinking water and carbonated drinks to add a sparkle.
It is also used for welding.
Looks like am going to get a big A!

 

[Garlic]

Thank you so much !

No problem. I'm glad I could help.

 

[epenguin]

I would argue that the role of CO₂ in global warming Is of secondary importance. The primary one surely is that plants use it to make - well, plants.

And the role of CO₂ in global warming is surely important, in fact a controversial can of worms, but where has it come from anyway? From burning fossil fuels - formed largely from ancient plants!

You should also be aware that CO₂ is pumped into the atmosphere by volcanoes - a fact that the anti-anthropogenic global warming lobby has not failed to make something of. But it was probably much more important in the early Earth's history, again enabling life - this time by keeping the place warm enough. In fact I have seen it authoritatively claimed that the exhaustion of CO₂-producing volcanoes on Mars is the reason for the aridity of this life-promising planet which was previously well watered.*

I don't know how deep and detailed you need or want to go; below are some starting points, others may be able to give others.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum#Formation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth's_atmosphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoclimatology#Earliest_atmosphere

* the book I read that in is now well out of date though I doubt that this has changed very much - try and find up-to-date "Universe" by Roger Freedman.

 

[Docscientist]

I would argue that the role of
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum#Formation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth's_atmosphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoclimatology#Earliest_atmosphere

* the book I read that in is now well out of date though I doubt that this has changed very much - try and find Universe by Roger Freedman.

Well,Thank you for your suggestion,epenguin.I'll check out that book soon !

 

[Borek]

And the role of CO2 in global warming is surely important, in fact a controversial can of worms, but where has it come from anyway? From burning fossil fuels - formed largely from ancient plants!

There were plenty of volcanic CO₂ long before plants started to grow. The amount from burning fossil fuels is definitely a part of the CO₂ present in the atmosphere now, but there also exist an old volcanic cycle responsible for the CO₂ presence. Normally CO₂ is sequestered by precipitation of carbonates which removes them from the atmosphere, but once they slid under the tectonic plate they decompose and CO₂ is blown back into the atmosphere. If memory serves me well temporary removal of CO₂ in the form of carbonates was proposed as one of possible mechanisms leading to snowball Earth.