I've read a fair bit about how tree's can act as carbon sinks etc, http://www.futureforests.com/ is quite a good site to look at - it goes into a fair bit of detail about how carbon sequestration works etc. Also read a fair but that suggests that that algal blooms in the oceans are important carbon sinks and also that the bacteria and microbrobes you find in the soil are also a major carbon sink - that's another reason why organic farming is so important as it encourages these type of organisms in the soil.
From memory I wouldn't say that when a tree dies it releases all it's CO2 back into the atmosphere as it will be located in the timber etc until released by anther chemical process like burning etc. As the tree decomposes a lot of the CO2 will be absorbed by the bacteria etc that is causing the decomposition and any CO2 that is released will be at a much slower rate.
Millymollymandy - the Liquidambar tree looks lovely - I may well get me something similar to brighten up my garden.
Trees absorbing Carbon Dioxide
You also have to consider that the trees are only taking in carbon when it is light and they are photosythesizing. So driving at night the carbon wouldn't be taken up. And the trees are going to take carbon in at a some what steady rate through out the day. So when you start your car up and there is a burst of carbon in the air the trees aren't going to suck it all up instantly. If the carbon in the exhaust hung around in the trees for a while maybe the trees could absorb it all.
You also have to remember all the areas that don't have trees. So there won't be any uptake for carbon exhaust there.
You also have to remember all the areas that don't have trees. So there won't be any uptake for carbon exhaust there.
Andrew
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Steve M
- Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
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Not to sure if it as simple as that unfourtenately. I know carbon sequestration by plants happens at different rates depending on a whole number of factors - brightness, weather, type of plant etc and they would absorb atmospheric CO2 which would still be there regardless as to when in the day you started your car etc. Also worth considering that it's no night everywhere on the planet at the same time.
As I've said previously the best way to reduce CO2 (or anything harmful to the environment in fact) is to elliminate of reduce the amount you produce. For example how you drive your car would impact on how much fuel is used and therefore CO2 is produced. I think it is generally recommended to limit your amount of gear changes and to drive at a constant speed as much as possible - most things I've read suggest 55 mph.
As I've said previously the best way to reduce CO2 (or anything harmful to the environment in fact) is to elliminate of reduce the amount you produce. For example how you drive your car would impact on how much fuel is used and therefore CO2 is produced. I think it is generally recommended to limit your amount of gear changes and to drive at a constant speed as much as possible - most things I've read suggest 55 mph.
Your right on the plant thing I was oversimplifing things but my point was there still isn't enough carbon absorbition by plants to cover all the driving the world does.Steve M wrote:Not to sure if it as simple as that unfourtenately. I know carbon sequestration by plants happens at different rates depending on a whole number of factors - brightness, weather, type of plant etc and they would absorb atmospheric CO2 which would still be there regardless as to when in the day you started your car etc. Also worth considering that it's no night everywhere on the planet at the same time.
As I've said previously the best way to reduce CO2 (or anything harmful to the environment in fact) is to elliminate of reduce the amount you produce. For example how you drive your car would impact on how much fuel is used and therefore CO2 is produced. I think it is generally recommended to limit your amount of gear changes and to drive at a constant speed as much as possible - most things I've read suggest 55 mph.
And I second you motion on not driving as much. Using alternative fuels that emit less carbon is goo too, but get folks out of their cars is the best answer.
Andrew