Measuring the isotopic composition of atmospheric CO₂ shows that the burning of fossil fuels has led to _____ CO₂ levels over the last 200 years.

Question

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The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon that is depleted in its C-13 isotopes, which makes the atmosphere more negative in its C-13/C-12 ratio. Since COS (carbonyl sulfide) is derived from CO2, the isotopic signature of its sulfur reflects that of atmospheric CO2. Therefore, measuring the isotopic composition of atmospheric COS can provide information about the isotopic composition of CO2 from fossil fuels. The data obtained shows that the C-13/C-12 ratio has decreased over the last 200 years, indicating that burning of fossil fuels has increased the concentration of atmospheric COS.

Measuring the Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric CO2 Shows That the Burning

Measuring the Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric CO₂ Shows That the Burning