1-4: Atmospheric Composition, Carbon Dioxide

Importance of this Unit to the Course

This unit provides background information on the amounts of carbon in the atmosphere, ocean, and on land. This information will assist us in understanding how humans are changing these amounts and what the consequences might be for global warming.

Objectives

To understand the characteristics of the global reservoirs of carbon and the natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks of carbon dioxide.
To understand the magnitudes of changes of carbon dioxide on different time scales in the past.

Preparation for Discussion (You must complete this section before class.)

Read the summary information. (Print text for offline review; images only.)

Take the Quiz over the summary information. (see your portfolio)

Review additional reading material (this material is not covered in the quiz, but offers more ideas for online discussion)

What is Atmospheric Chemistry?

Discussion (online / face-to-face) (See your portfolio for due dates and times)

A major component of the course is participation in the online dialog. The following types of comments are required:

Social Comments
Knowledge-building Comments
Ethical Comments

The following may be used as discussion starters for the online dialog:

Unit Problem to Ponder:

If carbon dioxide (molecular weight 44) is so much heavier than nitrogen (molecular weight 28) and oxygen (molecular weight 32), why doesn't it have a higher concentration near the surface?
Unit exam questions from previous years
Unit discussions from previous years, available from the current online discussion from previous years

Additional Reading