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Carbon Dioxide

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Carbon Dioxide
nmit
2013
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY
ASSIGNMENT 1
KHANH NGUYEN 1001974

THE NATURAL CARBON CYCLE

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biogeochemical cycles which the fourth most common elements on Earth. It is also a basis of all life and continually cycled and globally existed.
Carbon dioxide is obtained from various sources, including emissions from volcanoes or industries and combustion products of organic compounds and the respiratory activity of living organisms. Carbon dioxide not only going into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, but also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement).

Other hand, it is also a production of microorganisms from fermentation and cellular respiration. The plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, and use both carbon and oxygen to create carbohydrates. In addition, plants also release oxygen back to the atmosphere; the oxygen will be used by heterotrophic organisms in the respiratory process, forming a cycle (clearly understand through the picture above). It is present in the Earth's atmosphere with low concentrations and act as greenhouse gases. It is a major component of the carbon cycle. Therefore, the carbon cycle has contributed to major climatic changes.

Photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + water + sunlight -> carbohydrate + oxygen
CO2 + H2O + sunlight -> CH2O + O2 Respiration
Oxygen + carbohydrate -> energy + water + carbohydrate
O2 + CH2O -> energy + H2O + CO2

Carbonate Rocks
Carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere by dissolving in water to forming carbonic acid
CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3 (carbonic acid)

The chart above clearly explains how the carbon dioxide creates and the changes in the carbon cycle.

THE ENHANCE OF CARBON CYCLE
The Kyoto Protocol was released after people realize and can prove that the Earth is 0.7O C warmer than it was 150 years ago and

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