Notice that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches its highest point at the same time each year. What explains the timing of the annual fluctuation in CO2? (Hint: Think about the process of photosynthesis and plant respiration, and the locations of large forests on Earth.)

The question is based on Figures 24-8 and 24-9, charts showing the change in atmospheric carbon dioxide measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawai‘i, from 1958 to April 2016.





What will be an ideal response?


Plant respiration (and so the release of carbon dioxide) dominates through the winter in the Northern Hemisphere's forests; by early summer photosynthesis (and so the release of oxygen) dominates.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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