How are carbon dioxide (CO₂)levels in the atmosphere affected by tectonic uplift of rocks and their resultant chemical weathering?
A)CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere.
B)CO₂ is added to the atmosphere.
C)CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere by uplift,but returned to the atmosphere by chemical weathering.
D)They have no net effect on CO₂.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tectonic uplift and resultant chemical weathering remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. During chemical weathering, rocks react with carbonic acid, which results in the formation of new minerals and the release of bicarbonate ions. These ions are carried by water to the ocean, where they react with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate. This process removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, which is why it is often referred to as the "natural carbon sink."

How Are Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)levels in the Atmosphere Affected by Tectonic