Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of : 1. its escape into the outer stratosphere. 2. the photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans. 3. the trapping of air in the polar ice caps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

QUESTION

Hard

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2011

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of :

its escape into the outer stratosphere.
the photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans.
the trapping of air in the polar ice caps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

One of the significant processes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans. Phytoplankton, through photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic carbon, which can then be stored in the ocean or passed through the marine food web.

Carbon dioxide does not typically escape into the outer stratosphere as a mechanism to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. While trapping of air in the polar ice caps may occur, it is not a significant process for reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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