Question

photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition all involve the exchange of carbon between the biosphere and atmosphere, but how much and how quickly these processes occur contributes to the amount of carbon in each sphere. the amount of carbon in earths atmosphere can be observed by measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide (co₂) concentrations over time. the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is measured in parts per million (ppm), which is the number of co₂ molecules per million molecules in the atmosphere. the mauna loa observatory in hawaii has been measuring atmospheric co₂ levels since the 1950s. the graph shows the amount of co₂ in the atmosphere between 2019 and 2022. seasonal changes in atmospheric co₂ concentration source data: noaa global monitoring laboratory, measured at the mauna loa observatory. select the true statements about the atmospheric co₂ levels from 2019 to 2022. atmospheric co₂ levels increased and decreased during roughly the same months each year. each years peak atmospheric co₂ concentration was greater than that of the previous year. each year, there was more co₂ in the atmosphere in january than there was in april. the highest concentration of atmospheric co₂ occurred in 2020.

Explanation:

1. By observing the graph, the peaks and troughs of atmospheric CO₂ levels occur around the same months each year, validating the first statement.
2. The peak values of CO₂ concentration are rising over the years 2019 - 2022, confirming the second statement.
3. From the graph, in each year, CO₂ concentration in January is higher than in April, supporting the third statement.
4. The highest CO₂ concentration is in 2022, not 2020, so the fourth statement is false.

Answer:

Atmospheric CO₂ levels increased and decreased during roughly the same months each year.
Each year's peak atmospheric CO₂ concentration was greater than that of the previous year.
Each year, there was more CO₂ in the atmosphere in January than there was in April.