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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) Responses 3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere 3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere 2.2 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere 2.2 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere 2.2 GtC/yr into the atmosphere 2.2 GtC/yr into the atmosphere 3.3 GtC/yr out of the atmosphere

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To calculate the carbon flux in the atmosphere, we can look at the differences between the amounts of carbon entering and leaving the atmosphere.

  1. Carbon entering the atmosphere through natural processes: 211.6 GtC/yr
  2. Carbon leaving the atmosphere through natural processes: 213.8 GtC/yr
  3. Carbon released by burning fossil fuels: 5.5 GtC/yr

First, let's calculate the total carbon entering the atmosphere:

  • Total carbon entering = Natural entry + Fossil fuels
  • Total carbon entering = 211.6 GtC/yr (natural) + 5.5 GtC/yr (fossil fuels) = 217.1 GtC/yr

Now, let's calculate the net carbon flux in the atmosphere:

  • Total carbon leaving = 213.8 GtC/yr (natural processes)

Net change in atmospheric carbon:

  • Net change = Total carbon entering - Total carbon leaving
  • Net change = 217.1 GtC/yr - 213.8 GtC/yr = 3.3 GtC/yr

Since more carbon is entering the atmosphere than leaving, the carbon flux in the atmosphere is:

3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere.

Therefore, the correct response is:

3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere.