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Old February 2nd 10, 09:39 PM posted to uk.sci.weather
John Hall John Hall is offline
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First recorded activity by Weather-Banter: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,314
Default A quick question, just curious really...

In article
,
Neo writes:
If the CO2 in the atmosphere is building (for what ever reason, don't
want to get all political here), therefore Carbon is bonding to Oxygen
at a ratio 1:2. so surely the O2 levels of the atmosphere will be
falling at the same rate? Should we not be overly worried about
reducing O2 rather than increasing CO2?


No, because the amounts in the atmosphere are so different. The
atmosphere is 20% oxygen, but IIRC well under a tenth of one per cent
carbon dioxide.

Does anyone here know of any research and/or results for this
happenning?


Any change in the oxygen level would be "lost in the noise". Even a
doubling of CO2 would have a negligible effect on the amount of oxygen.

Add the fact that de-forestation is happening (so we are told...again
not wanting to be all political), then any O2 is not being adequately
replaced...this would only compound the problem.


I suppose long-term that might be a problem.

This could just be the indicator (or scientific cross-check) that the
CO2 levels are rising and we are not getting bogus data from any
sources.


It's far easier to measure the increase in the CO2 - and there is
reliable data showing it - than it is to measure the decrease in the
level of oxygen, because the latter will be such a small percentage
change.
--
John Hall
"Acting is merely the art of keeping a large group of people
from coughing."
Sir Ralph Richardson (1902-83)