Direct and indirect metabolic CO<sub>2</sub> release by humanity
The direct CO<sub>2</sub> released by respiration of humans and domesticated animals, as well as CO<sub>2</sub> derived from the decomposition of their resulting wastes was calculated in order to ascertain the direct and indirect metabolic contribution of humanity to CO<su...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2007-01-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/4/215/2007/bg-4-215-2007.pdf |
| Summary: | The direct CO<sub>2</sub> released by respiration of humans and domesticated animals, as well as CO<sub>2</sub> derived from the decomposition of their resulting wastes was calculated in order to ascertain the direct and indirect metabolic contribution of humanity to CO<sub>2</sub> release. Human respiration was estimated to release 0.6 Gt C year<sup>−1</sup> and that of their associated domestic animals was estimated to release 1.5 Gt C year<sup>−1</sup>, to which an indirect release of 1.0 Gt C year<sup>−1</sup>, derived from decomposition of the organic waste and garbage produced by humans and their domestic animals, must be added. These combined direct and indirect metabolic sources, estimated at 3.1 Gt C year<sup>−1</sup>, have increased 7 fold since pre-industrial times and are predicted to continue to rise over the 21st century. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |