Reduced O2 in Air Due to Burning Fossil Fuels

[jreelawg]

Burning stuff reduces the amount of o2 in the air. How much oxygen gets trapped in CO2 due to burning fossil fuels etc? Plants take CO2 and free the oxygen, but now days we have less plants, while burning more stuff. I'm thinking that there must be less O2 present in the air than before industrialization, but what is the magnitude, and is there any reason to worry about this issue becoming a future problem?

 

[mgb_phys]

CO2 is going up by about 2ppm/year, but is still a very small part of the atmosphere.
Only 0.04% (400ppm) is CO2, Oxygen makes up about 21% or (210,000PPM) the rest is nitrogen.

CO2 is toxic above about 0.5% and fatal at around 5%, so at current rates you will die in 25,000 years if nothing else happens.

 

[Huyen401]

There is definitely a concern about the impact of burning fossil fuels on the amount of oxygen in the air. According to scientific studies, burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which in turn traps heat and contributes to global warming. This process also reduces the amount of oxygen in the air, as the carbon in the fuel combines with oxygen to form CO2.

It is estimated that for every ton of fossil fuel burned, approximately 3.7 tons of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. This means that as we continue to burn more and more fossil fuels, there will be an increasing amount of CO2 in the air, leading to a decrease in the amount of oxygen available.

In addition, as you mentioned, the reduction in plant life due to deforestation and other human activities also contributes to the decrease in oxygen levels. Plants play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. With fewer plants, there is less oxygen being produced and more CO2 remaining in the atmosphere.

While the exact magnitude of the decrease in oxygen levels is difficult to determine, it is certainly a cause for concern. The Earth's atmosphere is a delicate balance of gases, and any significant changes can have far-reaching consequences. Decreased oxygen levels could have negative impacts on both human and animal health, as well as disrupt ecosystems and the overall functioning of the planet.

In terms of whether this could become a future problem, it is difficult to say for certain. However, it is clear that taking steps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect and restore plant life is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance of gases in the atmosphere. It is important for individuals and governments to take action to address these issues and work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.