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Burning fossil fuels

In fossil fuels, the carbon is stored in long-chain hydrocarbons, and then through combustion with oxygen in our cars or in factories, the carbon is converted to CO2, which is released to the atmosphere. And in addition, a number of other byproducts are also produced through inefficiencies in combustion like CO which are atmospheric pollutants.

Transcript

Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher

In fossil fuels, the carbon is stored in long-chain hydrocarbons, and then through combustion with oxygen in our cars or in factories, the carbon is converted to CO2, which is released to the atmosphere. And in addition, a number of other byproducts are also produced through inefficiencies in combustion like CO which are atmospheric pollutants.

Acknowledgements
Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher, NIWA (Now Earth Sciences New Zealand)

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 30 June 2010
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