2 ms·
CO2 is pretty stable and unreactive, isn't it? Doesn't change your overall point of course, just curious if I'm wrong about that.
by kadoban 4y ago
CO2 is pretty stable and unreactive, isn't it? Doesn't change your overall point of course, just curious if I'm wrong about that.
- lazide 4y agoIt's getting constantly broken down by plants. Also, concentration has been changing pretty rapidly. Those don't say 'dead' or 'stable'.
- giantrobot 4y agoYou're right that CO2 is not very reactive. But the fact Earth has a lot of O2 says there's some process replenishing it as it's very reactive. The amounts of CO2 changing in proportion to the amount of O2 would point to something processing the CO2 into O2. As long as our theoretical aliens are aware of photosynthesis, which can use a number of pigment chemicals, they would likely settle on photosynthesis. The longer they watch Earth they'll see seasonal variations in CO2/O2 levels.