Carbon dioxide (CO2), a colorless acidic chemical gas, is naturally found in the earth’s atmosphere. It can also be produced by human activity like fuel combustion. Calculating greenhouse gas equivalents can help determine the amount of CO2 that has been released. Trees are known for their ability to sequester carbon, a process called carbon sequestration.
Carbon sequestration refers to the process whereby trees store and capture atmospheric carbon dioxide. This reduces the amount in the atmosphere. You may be aware that trees and plants use carbon dioxide throughout the day as part of their biological processes. Different tree species have different levels of carbon sequestration. Eco Matcher’s research shows that plated trees store carbon dioxide at an average of 25 kilos per year.
One tree can store approximately 250 kilos of CO2 in its lifetime, if it isn’t cut down. This is a significant issue that has been causing concern worldwide as the forest cover continues to decrease. The methods below will allow you to calculate the CO2 sequestration of each tree.
Continue reading to learn how to calculate CO2 emissions and sequestration.
Calculating CO2 Sequestration
Here is a step by step guide to estimating the carbon sequestration from a single tree.
Step 1 – Determine The Total Green Weight for A Tree
The green weight of trees is the amount it carries while alive. This algorithm calculates the green weight of a tree.
H = Height of the green trees in feet
D= The trunk’s diameter in inches
W = Weigh of the tree above ground, in pounds
For trees with D11
Weight above ground (W) = 0.25 D2H
For trees with D>11
Weight above ground (W) = 0.15 D2H
The tree species that you are working with may change the coefficient, such as 0.15. Also, variables D2 or H could be raised to an exponential lower or higher than one. The primary system is approximately 20% heavier than the tree’s above-ground weight. To calculate the tree’s total green weight, multiply the above-ground mass by 120 percent (120%).
Hence,
The green weight is 1.2, and the weight above ground (W) are 1.2.
Step 2 – Determine The Dry Weight Of Your Tree
The University of Nebraska has an extension publication that can help with this. This publication includes a table showing the average weights of different species of trees. An average tree contains 27.5 % moisture, and 72.5% dry material. To determine the tree’s dry mass, multiply 72.5% by the tree’s weight.
The dry weight is 0.725 * The green weight total is 1.725
Step 3 – Determine The Carbon Content Of The Tree
A tree has approximately half its total carbon content. To determine the carbon content of a tree, multiply its total dry weight by 50%.
Carbon in the tree = 0.5 * Total dry weight
Step 4 – Determine The C02 Weight In The Tree
Carbon dioxide is made up of two molecules of oxygen and one carbon molecule. The atomic weight for oxygen (O2) (16 u) is lower than that of carbon (12 u). C + 2 *O = 44 is the weight of CO2. You need to calculate the CO2 content of trees by dividing C to CO2. This is 44/12=3.67. To determine the carbon dioxide sequestered in a tree’s weight, multiply 3.67 by the tree’s carbon content.
The tree has a weight of 3.67 * Carbon in it
Divide the CO2 in a tree’s weight by its age to determine its CO2 content.
Calculating CO2 Emissions Using The Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
The greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator allows you to convert units of energy into equivalent carbon dioxide emissions. This calculator will help you to translate abstract measurements into concrete terms, and help you understand the annual emissions from power plants, cars, and households.
A greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator is a useful tool for communicating your greenhouse emission reduction targets and strategies.
This device can convert greenhouse gas emissions figures into various types of CO2 equivalent units. These figures are calculated using the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (GWPs). These units are equivalent to:
Gallons Diesel Used
National Program fuel economy standards 2012-2016 stated that there was agreement to use a common conversion factor to convert 10,180 grams CO2 emissions per gallon diesel used. To determine the amount of CO2 released in grams per gallon, multiply the kilogram CO2 per fuel’s heat composition by the fuel’s heat content per gallon. This assumes that diesel is carbon converted to CO2.
10,180 g CO2/gal diesel = 10.180×10-3tons CO2/gal diesel
Passenger Vehicles Per Annum
A passenger vehicle can be described as a vehicle that has four tires and two wheels. This method calculates the annual greenhouse gas emissions for passenger cars. Calculating the annual gasoline consumption per vehicle is done by multiplying the average vehicle mileage by the average gas mileage.
Calculating the annual CO2 emissions per car by multiplying fuel consumption by the CO2 per gallon gasoline is how it works. Additional emissions like methane and nitrous oxide are taken into account by dividing CO2 emissions by total vehicle greenhouse emissions.
This is what happens in this instance:
8.89 x 10-3 tonnes CO2/gallon gasoline. x 11,556 VMT car/truck on average x 1/22.5 mile per gallon car/truck on average x 1CO2, CH4, N2O/0.993CO2 = 4.60 tons CO2E/vehicle/year.
Measuring Emissions
Every industry is concerned about CO2 emissions. The oil and gas sector plays a major role in greenhouse gases. It is important to calculate the amount of CO2 emissions accurately and to come up with contingency plans. Although these calculations can seem difficult or time-consuming, they are vital for protecting the planet and making economic sense. Melzer Consulting, a professional company, assists oil companies and governments in complex CO2 dynamics. A professional consultant can help you determine the wettability and guide you through oil recovery.
