Use the following scenario to calculate the carbon flux in the atmosphere. The amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere through natural processes is 211.6 GtC/yr and the amount that leaves the atmosphere through natural processes in 213.8 GtC/yr. The amount of carbon released by burning fossil fuels is 5.5 GtC/yr. What is the carbon flux in the atmosphere? (1 point)

2.2 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere

3.3 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere

3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere

2.2 GtC/yr into the atmosphere

1 answer

To calculate the carbon flux in the atmosphere, we need to subtract the amount of carbon leaving the atmosphere from the amount of carbon entering the atmosphere.

211.6 GtC/yr (entering the atmosphere) - 213.8 GtC/yr (leaving the atmosphere) = -2.2 GtC/yr

Since the result is negative, it means that there is a net flux of 2.2 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere. Therefore, the correct answer is:

2.2 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere