Sciene Report

Carbon Dioxide , which has the chemical formula is CO2, is a colorless, odorless and
incombustible gas. In a molecule of a carbon dioxide, there is one atom of carbon
covalently bonded with two atoms of oxygen. This gas is harmless in reasonable
amounts. Carbon dioxide is naturally found in our atmosphere. It is an important gas
since it is essentially used in photosynthesis which is a necessary process for the
survival of life on the Earth, a vital greenhouse gas helping trap heat in the
atmosphere and play a key role in the Earths carbon cycle. It can be formed from
natural resources, including decomposition, ocean release, respiration, and human
resources such as cement production, deforestation, combustion of fossil fuel (coal,
oil, natural gases).
Underground organic matters like dead plants and animals are broken down into
simpler matters during decomposition. This process also releases carbon dioxide
emissions. Carbon dioxide molecules move between the ocean and the atmosphere
through the process of diffusion, thus the ocean can absorb this gas but also
discharge it. Plants and animals requires respiration to produce energy which is
used to perform basic activities as movements and growth. The process of using
oxygen breaking down nutrients to provide energy for organism creates water and
carbon dioxide as byproducts. Volcanic eruption also occupies for a small proportion
of the increase of carbon dioxide in the air.
The combustion of fossil fuels produces 87% of human carbon dioxide emissions.
Coal, natural gases and oil, which are the three types of fossil fuels, are mainly
made of carbon. Carbon gets transformed to carbon dioxide during combustion
process. This means that any activities involving fossil fuels has carbon dioxide as a
byproduct. The three main economic sectors that use fossil fuels are electricity,
transportation and industry. Electricity and heat generation produces the largest
amount of CO2 emission since they are extremely essential for the industrial,
residential and commercial daily use. This sector mostly relies on coal which is the
most carbon- intensive of fossil fuels. Transportation sector consumes petroleum
based fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc. by road vehicles, marine
shipping, global aviation and creates the harmful emissions, including CO2. The
industrial sector, which consists of manufacturing, construction, mining and
agriculture, accounts for vast majority of fossil fuels use and greenhouse gases.
Fossil fuels are used to create heat and steam needed at different stages of
production. This means that a massive amount of CO 2 is produced as a result
afterwards.
Carbon Dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases which traps heat in the atmosphere.
It enters the air through burning fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and wood products as
a result of certain chemical reactions. It is removed from the atmosphere by
photosynthesis and deposition of carbonates as a part of the biological carbon
cycle. In 2007, the CO2 concentration was about 380ppm and raises from 2- 3 ppm
each year, so that the critical value can be possibly reached in the next 20- 30 years
from now.
Carbon Dioxide is a potent greenhouse gas which plays a vital role in arranging the
Earths surface temperature through radiative forcing and the greenhouse effect. It

is released into the atmosphere and remains for 100- 200 years. Thus, the
concentration of this gas in the air increases and causes the raise of average
temperature on Earth. CO2 is also the primary gas that contributes to the climate
change and affects the concentrations in the atmosphere to grow.