Carbon Dioxide as an Important Component of the Atmosphere and the Human Body - Term Paper Example

Sustainability Report Introduction: Carbon dioxide at temperature (20-25C) is a colorless, odorless gas and it is the most important greenhouse gas. There are a number of sources which emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere whereas some of the sources also help removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such sources are known as ‘sinks’. Therefore sources and sinks collectively regulate the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and maintain carbon cycle. As CO2 is discharging in excess amount, ratio of carbon dioxide is also rising in our environment. This increased ratio can be responsible for many hazardous effects on our environment. (Ranjeet S. Sokhi, 2008 p 144) Some of the chief sources from where carbon dioxide is released include: combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in power plants, automobiles, industrial facilities and other sources. There are certain industrial production processes also which play vital role in rising levels of carbon dioxide. These processes include: mineral production, metal production etc. In addition the use of petroleum-based products can also lead to CO2 emissions. The process of carbon sequestration also plays a vital role in altering the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Deforestation is also a cause of enhancing CO2 ratio in the environment. Similarly, there are also some sinks of CO2. The chief sink includes forests which utilizes CO2 as a sole source of carbon for the production of energy. These forests play a significant role in balancing the carbon cycle of nature. They absorb CO2 from atmosphere and by process of photosynthesis convert it into biomass. This is the actual process which regulates the relative amount of CO2 and reduces the adverse effects of its high concentration. CO2 also takes part in respiration in animals and plants and in lower animals also. (Sandra Alters, 1999 p 837) Nowadays level of CO2 in atmosphere is rising which could lead this world to many problems. The basic issue that is arising is, increase of temperature at global level which further leads to increased rate of melting of glaciers.(Martin L. Parr,2007 p 483) It can also cause change in pH of water. (Schaum's outline of theory and problems of biology,1999 p 445) In order to explain the issues that are increasingly becoming popular because of increased CO2 emission are further discussed in this paper. In addition, this paper analyzes the issues arising and explains the rise in temperature that is resulting in health and environmental problems. STATISTICAL INFORMATION: Since industrial revolutionary changes have arisen, it has increased the concentration of CO2 in atmosphere up to 30%. It was primarily thought that this increase is due to the combustion of fossils fuels but from further studies, later it was concluded that industrial revolution is the main cause of high level of CO2 in atmosphere (Helm & Robinson, 2002 p 197). Charles D. Keeling was a founder in investigating carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. The high levels of CO2 are superior to the records in the last 800,000 years. It is now standing at 380 parts per million (ppm) while the pre-industrial was high of280 ppm. The current rate of increases is around 2ppm per year. (PhysicalGeography.net) Respiration: Respiration is the chief process which regulates the global carbon cycle. Each cell in this world respires to generate energy. This energy is reserved in the cell in the form of high energy compounds i.e. ATP. As a result of which CO2 is released. It takes place not only confined to terrestrial life but also occur in marine life. Therefore levels of CO2 are not only regulated in atmosphere but it is also controlled in large water bodies. Volcanism: CO2 is also released by volcanic activities. Although its level is low at global level but it still plays a role in disturbing the composition of atmosphere. Land-use Change: Human activities are also responsible for increased ratios of CO2. The main cause which is responsible for these changes is deforestation. It is estimated that man-made collective global loss of carbon from the land is due to the reduction in forest. Removal of CO2 results in loss of sinks. As plantation is reducing in the world it gives rise to accumulation of CO2in the atmosphere. Energy - Stationary Sources: The emission of CO2 from fossil fuel combustion is also used for electricity production. Mostly coal is used to generate it. Except it, it is also released from the industries i.e. during the production of iron or steel. It is also emitted from oil extraction and refinement. It is also discharged from vehicles. Energy - Mobile Sources: Transport-related emissions of carbon dioxide are because increasing CO2 levels. It currently comprises around 24% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Most of the vehicle especially road transport utilizes petroleum as its fuel. Others include gasoline, diesel etc. Industry (non-energy-related): Carbon dioxide is released in the manufacture of lime and cement. (publication of: Washington, DC : The Administration, [1998]) Although, final amount of CO2 emission vary according to the type and quality of cement but contributes in increasing the levels of CO2. Biomass Burning: The burning of biomass also adds the amount of CO2 in air. Critical Analysis CO2 play vital role in many biological processes i.e. photosynthesis and respiration etc. These processes are in brief discussed here. Plants have ability to transform CO2 and water into food compounds. As a result of which glucose is formed and process is called as photosynthesis. In this process oxygen is also released as a by product which play vital role in balancing the effects of CO2 in atmosphere. (Kaplan, 2008 p 117) Carbon dioxide+ water _> glucose + oxygen Plants and animals can utilize these food components for the sake of their energy requirements. This conversion of food compounds into energy is known as respiration. (Winkler, 1974 p 710) Glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water Photosynthesis and respiration both play vital role in carbon cycle and maintain its amount in equilibrium. Since the seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres are converse, there is an increase in concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at North Pole while it is decreasing in the South Pole, and vice versa. CO2 has also an ability to change the pH of water.CO2 is slightly soluble in water and forms carbonic acid, H2CO3, Carbon dioxide + water --> carbonic acid When carbonic acid reacts reversibly with water it forms a hydronium cation, H3O+, and the bicarbonate ion, HCO3-, according to the following reaction Carbonic acid + water --> carbonate- + hydronium cation This is the mechanism due to which H2O behaves as acidic i.e. pH 5.5 instead of neutral i.e. 7. Acid rain also produces by this mechanism which is hazardous for plants especially. Exposure to acid rain also causes skin diseases in humans. With time climate changes are taking place on the globe. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an agency of the United Nations the major cause of these changes is greenhouse gases. Among them CO2 is the most important one. Other gases include methane, nitrous oxide etc, which are also found in the atmosphere of earth. These gases trap infrared and ultraviolet radiations of the sun which increases the temperature and results in global warming. Therefore they regulate the atmosphere of the earth. Nowadays global warming is becoming a serious environmental issue. The United Methodist Church has declared its support of “social policies that...de-emphasize or eliminate energy-producing technologies that endanger the health, the safety, and even the existence of the present and future human and nonhuman creation”. In addition, the Church has called for the “control of global warming” (Resolution 1001.8), the support of “strenuous efforts to conserve energy and increase energy efficiency” (Resolution 1001.1), the United States to “move beyond its dependence on high carbon fossil fuels that produce emissions leading to climate change” (Resolution 1002.1) and “measures calling for a reduction of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which contribute to acid rain and global climate change” (Resolution 1023). Nature makes everything in balance but these human activities that disturb natural phenomena leads to extensive rise in the amount of CO2 in atmosphere. Due to its increasing rate there are certain adverse effects on environmental and health. The lower part of atmosphere is about 10-15 kilometers thick. It is known as troposphere and the gases it contains are known as greenhouse gases. When sunlight reaches to earth it converts into heat. Greenhouse gases absorb this heat and trap it near the earth’s surface which creates a warm effect on earth. This effect is known as the greenhouse effect.( Jane Moody Rachal; David P Clarke, 1992) This greenhouse effect regulates the temperature of whole earth. If the greenhouse effect would not exist, the whole earth may be covered in ice. The rate of heat absorption in the troposphere determines the temperature on earth. This heat absorption depends on the concentrations of greenhouse gases. It also depends on the time these gases exist in the atmosphere. The important gases that constitute greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, CFC's (Chlor-Fluoro-Carbons), nitrogen oxides and methane. After the industrial revolution in 1850 human activities rose to levels at which they resulted in discharge of the greenhouse gasses. This results in rise in temperature and leads to environmental problems. This abnormal increase in gasses is known as global warming. This warming effect also causes melting of ice caps from the poles which further produces the chances of storms. Deforestation is also an important cause of high level of CO2 ratio in the atmosphere.( F. P. W. Winteringham ,1992 p 175) It not only influences CO2 removal from the environment but also reduces the discharge of O2 gas produced in photosynthesis. HEALTH ISSUES: CO2 is very important for respiration in human body. During respiration O2 is inhaled and CO2 is exhaled out of the body. CO2 also plays vital role in maintaining pH of blood which is very essential for survival. The buffer system that CO2 maintains in the body is called the carbonate buffer system. It is composed of bicarbonate ions and dissolved carbon dioxide, with carbonic acid. The carbonic acid has ability to neutralize hydroxide ions, which can increase the pH of the blood. The bicarbonate ions have ability to neutralize hydrogen ions, which causes a decrease in the pH of the blood. Although CO2 plays vital roles in body but its excess amount can be hazardous for human health. Some of the health dangers of CO2 are: Asphyxiation: It is a disease caused by excess release of CO2 in a confined airless or unventilated area. Due to the accumulation of CO2 oxygen tension becomes low which is hazardous for human health. Frostbite: it is a disease caused by treating solid CO2 in hands for more than a second or two without proper safety measures. It causes serious blisters, and other unwanted effects. CO2 gas is released from steel cylinders i.e. fire extinguisher. Kidney damage or coma: it is caused due to abnormal concentrations of CO2 in body which may cause a difference in the chemical equilibrium of the body and hence cause a situation which can prove to be fatal for the individual. Conclusion CO2 is an important component of earth’s atmosphere. Despite its role in regulating earth’s temperature, it is also involved in human body’s important processes and constitutes a major biotic factor for the survival of life. From the above conversation the importance of CO2 has been evaluated. In the absence of CO2 this earth may cover with ice. In contrast, if its amount increases in atmosphere it may lead to hazardous effects such as enormous rise in the temperature. It is also evaluated from studies that increase in temperature and global warming increases the chances of storms. Furthermore, it is also very important for human life. It is not only produced as a result of respiration but also constitutes buffering system in human body and it also plays a role in neutralizing hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions which are produced during metabolism. Bibliography HELM, J., & ROBINSON, A. (2002). GCSE geography for AQA specification B. Oxford, Heinemann. (2008). Nursing school entrance exams. New York, Kaplan. WINKLER, A. J. (1974). General viticulture. Berkeley, University of California Press. SO ALTERS, S. (2000). Biology: understanding life. Boston, Jones and Barlette Publishers. KHI, R. S. (2008). World atlas of atmospheric pollution. London, Anthem Press. FRIED, G., & HADEMENOS, G. J. (1999). Schaum's outline of theory and problems of biology. New York, McGraw-Hill. http://www.netlibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=12966. RACHAL, J. M., & CLARKE, D. P. (1992). Controlling greenhouse gases: what the global warming treaty will mean to you. Inside EPA weekly report. [S.l.], Inside Washington Publishers. WINTERINGHAM, F. P. W. (1992). Energy use and the environment. Boca Raton, Lewis Publishers. UNITED STATES. (1998). Emissions of greenhouse gases in the United States 1997. Washington, DC, The Administration. PARRY, M. L. (2007). Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability : contribution of Working Group II to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge University Press Read More