Interpreting Data: Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases

Part A Which gas is plotted using the y-axis on the right?

Methane (CH4)

Part D In the 250 years from 1500 to 1750, the atmospheric concentration of methane (CH4) hovered around 700 parts per billion. What was the approximate concentration of methane 250 years later, in 2000?

1,800 parts per billion

Part C What was the approximate atmospheric concentration of CO2 at year 0?

275 parts per million

Part H n 2050, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 will be 400 ppm.

Cannot be determined from this graph

Part B Which of these three gases is most abundant in the atmosphere?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Part F After 1800, the atmospheric concentration of methane rose dramatically, but concentrations of the other gases remained constant.

Not Supported

Part E Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane all had relatively stable atmospheric concentrations before 1800.

Supported

Part G From 1900-2000, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 rose from approximately 300 ppm to 350 ppm.

Supported