Processes Involving Vegetation Uptake of Ozone (IMAGE)

Lehigh University

Processes Involving Vegetation Uptake of Ozone

Caption

Vegetation absorbs both CO2 and O3, but the O3 inhibits photosynthesis and so reduces the amount of CO2 plants can take up, leaving more behind in the atmosphere. Ozone is a product of fossil fuel combustion from key economic sectors, including energy, industry and transportation, and is formed by reactions between pollutant gases and sunlight. Reducing ozone will help vegetation to grow better and take up more CO2, while also reducing unhealthy pollutants such as nitrogen oxides.

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Ben Felzer/Lehigh University

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