Question

The main source of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is:

• A. Vehicles
• B. Industries
• C. Bio wastes
• D. Photochemical reactions in the troposphere.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Photochemical reactions in the troposphere.

The largest source of carbon monoxide is from the photochemical reactions in the troposphere that generate about 5 x 10¹² kilograms per year. Volcanoes and forest fires are few other natural resources of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is also produced from the partial oxidation of carbon containing compounds, i.e. when there is an insufficient amount of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. Incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, coal and wood will produce carbon monoxide.The largest man-made source of carbon monoxide is vehicle emission.