(a) The total mass of carbon contained in fossil fuels that was burned in the world from 1750 to 2000 was

Question

estimated to be 2.9 x E14 kg C. The amound of carbon released as carbon dioxide from agricultural
expansion and deforestation over this period is estimated to be 1.3 x E14 kg C. The concentration of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in 2000 was 360 ppm, corresponding to a total mass of 7.75E14 kg C. If
the concentration of carbon dioxide in 1750 was 300 ppm, calculate the percentage of carbon dioxide
from these two sources that remained in the atmosphere over the two and one-half century period.

(b) Plant studies indicate the net primary production (NPP) of organic carbon by photosynthesis may
increase with increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Assume the increase of NPP in the biosphere
is 0.22 of the percentage increase of atmospheric CO2. Given that the global NPP of the biosphere
is currently estimated to be 1.1E14 kg C/yr, estimate how much more carbon (kg C) is being absorbed per
year in the NPP compared to the amount that would be abosrbed if the atmospheric CO2 concentration was
was the same as in 1750.