7.4 Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates

what are some sources of CO2?

respiration, decomposition, volcanic eruptinos

wildfires

as trees burn, they release large amounts of CO2, smoke. and particulates into the air

dust (sand) storms

• common in low precip. areas

• strong wind drive loose particles of sand into air —> increase particulate pollution

what do volcanic eruptions release

• release sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide, ash (PM)

what are health affects of pollutants released by volcanic eruptions?

resp. problems, eye injuries, death

metabolic processes

• cellular respiration —> CO2 is a by-product of reaction.

• during decomposition, organic substances are broken down into smaller molecules —> release CO2

what does specialist equipment do? why are they used for volcanic eruptions?

they are used to measure the quantity and composition of gases emitted from volcanoes

difference of ground measurements and remote

• ground - instrument is located on the volcano

• remote - measurements are made by air using aircraft or satellites

what does the information collected from volcanic measurements tell?

tells us if levels of gases around volcanoes are safe for humans

what does a multiGAS measure?

water vapor, CO2, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide in gas plumes