To calculate the carbon flux in the atmosphere, we can use the following formula:
\[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = \text{Carbon In} - \text{Carbon Out} \]
From the information provided:
- Carbon entering the atmosphere through natural processes (in) = 211.6 GtC/yr
- Carbon leaving the atmosphere through natural processes (out) = 213.8 GtC/yr
- Carbon added to the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels = 5.5 GtC/yr
First, we need to adjust the carbon out amount to account for the additional carbon from fossil fuels:
\[ \text{Total Carbon Out} = \text{Carbon Out (natural)} + \text{Carbon Out (fossil fuels)} \]
However, the fossil fuel contribution adds to the carbon going into the atmosphere rather than leaving it, so the outflow will remain the same.
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Total carbon entering the atmosphere: \[ \text{Total Carbon In} = \text{Natural In} + \text{Fossil Fuels} = 211.6 \text{ GtC/yr} + 5.5 \text{ GtC/yr} = 217.1 \text{ GtC/yr} \]
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Total carbon leaving the atmosphere: \[ \text{Total Carbon Out} = \text{Natural Out} = 213.8 \text{ GtC/yr} \]
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Net Carbon Flux: \[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = \text{Total Carbon In} - \text{Total Carbon Out} \] \[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = 217.1 \text{ GtC/yr} - 213.8 \text{ GtC/yr} = 3.3 \text{ GtC/yr} \]
Therefore, the net carbon flux in the atmosphere is 3.3 GtC/yr. This means that there is a net increase of 3.3 billion metric tons of carbon entering the atmosphere per year.