“Since 1751 approximately 337 billion metric tonnes [337 gigatons] of carbon hav

Question

“Since 1751 approximately 337 billion metric tonnes [337 gigatons] of carbon have been released to the atmosphere from the consumption of fossil fuels and cement production. Half of these emissions have occurred since the mid 1970s.”

Most of this carbon was as CO2, so the mass of CO2 emitted would be 337 Gt x (44/12) to account for the mass difference between CO2 and C. As we have discussed, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere in 1750 was about 280 ppm.

Calculate

a. How many gigatons of CO2 does the 337 gigatons of carbon correspond to?

b. What would the CO2 level be in the atmosphere if all the emitted carbon had stayed in the atmosphere?

c. The current level of CO2 is about 400 ppm. By this calculation, how much carbon is “missing”?

Explanation / Answer

1 gigaton = 1*10^15 gm

So, 337 Gigatom = 337*10^15 gm

44gm CO2 is produced from 12 gm of C. Thus mass of CO2 produced if 337*10^15 gigatom C is consumed

                                                                                                                           = (44/12) * 337*10^15

                                                                                                                            = 1235.7*10^15 gm

                                                                                                                             = 1235.7 Gigaton

(b) 1ppm CO2 in the atmosphere = 7.81 Gigaton CO2

1235.7 Gigatom CO2 = 158.22 ppm

total concentration in CO2 currently = 280 + 158.22 = 438.33ppm

(c) amount missing = 38.33 ppm

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