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Volcanic erruptions are estimated to add at most 0.44 gigatons of CO2 (1 gigton

ID: 622329 • Letter: V

Question

Volcanic erruptions are estimated to add at most 0.44 gigatons of CO2 (1 gigton = 1 billion metric tons) to the earth's atmosphere annually. If all 0.44 gigatons CO2 remain in the atmosphere and spread around the atmosphere evenly, what concentration in ppm would it constitute? The effective volume of the earth's atmosphere is about 4.2 billion km^3, and take the average pressure to be 550 mmHg and ther average temperature to be -10 degrees Celsius. The molar mass of air is 29 g/mol. I have no idea even where to begin. Please write out equations so that I can understand, not looking for just an answer :)

Explanation / Answer

PV= nRT P = 550/760 = 0.7236 atm , V = 4.2 x10^9 km^3 = 4.2 x10^ 18 m^3 = 4.2 x10^ 21 liters T = 263 K n = PV/RT = 0.7236 x4.2 x10^ 21/(0.0821x263) = 0.14 x10^ 21 mass of air = 29 x0.14 x10^ 15 = 4.08 x10^ 21 gm CO2 mass = 0.44 giga tons = 0.44 x10^ 12 kgs = 0.44 x10^ 15 gm concetration = (0.44 x10^ 15) x10^6 /4.08 x10^21) = 0.1078 ppm