When doing carbon footprint calculation, how to estimate the percentage of carbon in the dissolved CO2 in water by photosynthetic activity of plants?

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I am working in a project involving the environment foot printing in Taiwan. In this project one of the main focus is the carbon consumption in agriculture. As plants require CO2 for photosynthesis it is important to know the role of water in this complex interaction (between plant uptake of water and carbon) and how to incorporate water’s role through dissolved CO2 in water in the carbon foot print calculation.

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8 Answers

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  2. Thanks for all of your reply and comments. I believed that we all want to do whats the best for our beautiful earth ^^ Really nice to hear from different aspect ^^ Looking forward for more discussion in the future. Best regards ^^

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  3. Equation

    Trivial calculation.  

    1. Obtain the volume of water.  
    2. Obtain the average parts per million concentration of CO2 per unit volume.  
    3. Determine the mole percentage of carbon in CO2 (I could do it in about one minute but I am lazy).  
    4. Multiply 1 x 2  for total weight of CO2.  
    5. Multiply 4  x 3 for total mass of carbon.  Use the cgs or kgs unit system.  

    I think this is right.   

  5. Why measure CO2 in water due to photosynthetic activity of plants ?

    Plants consume CO2 from air not from water.

    CO2 dissolves into water from air and may be released back into air when there is change in conditions - temperature, pressure, etc.

    So why do you want to measure the CO2 in water in relation to photosynthetic activity of plants ?

    I presume that 'plants' mean plants growing on land and not aquatic plants.

    Aquatic plants and phytoplankton consume the dissolved CO2 but more CO2 from air dissolves into the water to replace the CO2 consumed. So how would measuring the CO2 from time to time help ?

    Carbon footprint would refer to the Carbon from Antropogenic sources ( in fuel, fertilizer, etc.) and not CO2 naturally dissolved in water.

     

  6. Trying to calculate the amount of carbon in a given area or substance is liken to seeing how long it would take to count to one billion one number at a time out loud. Yes it can be done but to what end. The "Carbon footprint" word is insulting to the entire human race. Nature has her own cycles. Saying we control any part of it is really insulting to nature and all of civilized people on this planet. With all of the data against and none to support the ridicules global anything claims makes me wonder how far away agenda driven persons are from committing suicide. Read scientific facts not blogs and fake UN reports. NASA has just admitted to lying on all counts because of a personal request by our leader and his UN cohorts. Use your keen minds to search for answers to real problems instead of wasting it on sensationalism, agendas and blogs.

  7. Test using Hach Kit

    Water Analysis: Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

    Carbon Dioxide is present in water in the form of a dissolved gas. Surface waters normally contain less than 10 ppm free carbon dioxide, while some ground waters may easily exceed that concentration. Carbon dioxide is readily soluble in water. Over the ordinary temperature range (0-30 C) the solubility is about 200 times that of oxygen. Calcium and magnesium combine with carbon dioxide to form carbonates and bicarbonates.

    Aquatic plant life depends upon carbon dioxide and bicarbonates in water for growth. Microscopic plant life suspended in the water, phytoplankton, as well as large rooted plants, utilize carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis of plant materials; starches, sugars, oils, proteins. The carbon in all these materials comes from the carbon dioxide in water.

    When the oxygen concentration in waters containing organic matter is reduced, the carbon dioxide concentration rises. The rise in carbon dioxide makes it more difficult for fish to use the limited amount of oxygen present. To take on fresh oxygen, fish must first discharge the carbon dioxide in their blood streams and this is a much slower process when there are high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water itself.

    Carbon dioxide test using Hach kit

    Low range test

    Fill the mixing bottle to the 23- ml mark with the water sample

    Add one drop of the phenophthalein indicator solution to the sample.

    Add the sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop to the sample. Count each drop as it is added. Swirl the bottle to mix after each drop is added. Continue adding drops until a light pink color forms, and persists for 30 seconds.

    Each drop of sodium hydroxide solution used equals 1.25 mg/l carbon dioxide.

    Medium range test

    Fill the mixing bottle to the 15 ml mark with the water sample.

    Proceed as in the low range test.

    Each drop of sodium hydroxide solution used equals 2 mg/l carbon dioxide.

    High range test

    Fill the plastic measuring tube level full with the water to be tested. Transfer to the mixing bottle by placing the mixing bottle over the tube and then turning the bottle right-side up.

    Add one drop of phenolphthalein indicator to the mixing bottle.

    Add sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop.

    Each drop sodium hydroxide used equals 5 mg/l carbon dioxide.

  8. Water Analysis: Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Carbon Dioxide is present in water in the form of a dissolved gas. Surface waters normally contain less than 10 ppm free carbon dioxide, while some ground waters may easily exceed that concentration. Carbon dioxide is readily soluble in water. Over the ordinary temperature range (0-30 C) the solubility is about 200 times that of oxygen. Calcium and magnesium combine with carbon dioxide to form carbonates and bicarbonates. Aquatic plant life depends upon carbon dioxide and bicarbonates in water for growth. Microscopic plant life suspended in the water, phytoplankton, as well as large rooted plants, utilize carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis of plant materials; starches, sugars, oils, proteins. The carbon in all these materials comes from the carbon dioxide in water. When the oxygen concentration in waters containing organic matter is reduced, the carbon dioxide concentration rises. The rise in carbon dioxide makes it more difficult for fish to use the limited amount of oxygen present. To take on fresh oxygen, fish must first discharge the carbon dioxide in their blood streams and this is a much slower process when there are high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water itself. Carbon dioxide test using Hach kit Low range test Fill the mixing bottle to the 23- ml mark with the water sample Add one drop of the phenophthalein indicator solution to the sample. Add the sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop to the sample. Count each drop as it is added. Swirl the bottle to mix after each drop is added. Continue adding drops until a light pink color forms, and persists for 30 seconds. Each drop of sodium hydroxide solution used equals 1.25 mg/l carbon dioxide. Medium range test Fill the mixing bottle to the 15 ml mark with the water sample. Proceed as in the low range test. Each drop of sodium hydroxide solution used equals 2 mg/l carbon dioxide. High range test Fill the plastic measuring tube level full with the water to be tested. Transfer to the mixing bottle by placing the mixing bottle over the tube and then turning the bottle right-side up. Add one drop of phenolphthalein indicator to the mixing bottle. Add sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop. Each drop sodium hydroxide used equals 5 mg/l carbon dioxide.