Page 49 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology

L. BAR GRAPH : Using the data from part L, calculate the average rate of increase in CO concentration per year for the time
2
intervals 1962–1972, 1972–1982, 1982–1992, 1992–2002, and 2002–2012. Then plot the results as a bar graph.
Average Yearly Rate of
Increase in the
Concentration of 2002–2012
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
at Mauna Loa, Hawaii
Rate of
Time increase per 1992–2002
interval
year
Time interval
1962–1972 1982–1992
1972–1982
1982–1992
1972–1982
1992–2002
2002–2012
1962–1972

0 1.0 2.0
CO 2 Average Increase/Year (ppmv)

M. TWO-LINE GRAPH : Two-line graph of data obtained by analysis of a core of ice from Vostok Station, Antarctica (from
NOAA: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Blue line shows how temperature at Vostok has changed
in degrees Celsius from present (0 is the present temperature). Red line shows how the concentration of carbon dioxide
(in ppmv: parts per million volume) has changed at Vostok over the same interval of time.

300 4

280 2
0
260
CO 2 (ppmv) 240 –2 Temperature change (°C) from present based on deuterium South

–4
Pole
220
–6 ANTARCTICA Vostok
Station
200 –8
180 –10
400000 300000 200000 100000
Age (years before present)

1. What relationship between temperature and carbon dioxide concentration is revealed by this graph?

N. REFLECT & DISCUSS What do you predict will happen to Earth’s atmospheric temperature in the future? How do the

graphs above (Parts K, L, and M) help you to answer this question?

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