To calculate the carbon flux in the atmosphere, we can use the following equation:
\[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = \text{Carbon In} - \text{Carbon Out} \]
Where:
- Carbon In = Natural processes that add carbon to the atmosphere + Carbon from fossil fuel burning
- Carbon Out = Natural processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere
Given data:
- Carbon In from natural processes = 211.6 GtC/yr
- Carbon Out from natural processes = 213.8 GtC/yr
- Carbon In from fossil fuel burning = 5.5 GtC/yr
Now we can calculate Carbon In: \[ \text{Carbon In} = 211.6 , \text{GtC/yr} + 5.5 , \text{GtC/yr} = 217.1 , \text{GtC/yr} \]
Now we can calculate the Net Carbon Flux: \[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = \text{Carbon In} - \text{Carbon Out} \] \[ \text{Net Carbon Flux} = 217.1 , \text{GtC/yr} - 213.8 , \text{GtC/yr} = 3.3 , \text{GtC/yr} \]
Since the net carbon flux is positive, it means that 3.3 GtC/yr is accumulating in the atmosphere.
Therefore, the carbon flux in the atmosphere is 3.3 GtC/yr into the atmosphere.