Background: Plants are essential for thriving in rural areas, especially for agricultural purposes. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that warms the planet through its ability to hold onto radiation in the atmosphere, which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries.

Plants use carbon dioxide as a way of survival as it pulls down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to support their growth, as it is used to create their sugar.

New technology called “Direct air capture” allows for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere by bringing in carbon dioxide air, capturing it, and sending it below ground for storage, instead of fully relying on plants to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As a result, the air is released from the direct air capture system. Concerns from the public arise for farmers as the implementation of this technology might cause a lack of plant growth since carbon dioxide is needed for plant growth and energy.

Trends of CO₂: According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a study was conducted in Mauna Loa to construct Atmospheric CO₂ throughout the years. The graph from these studies shows the increase in atmospheric CO₂ closer to the present year. While there are seasonal fluctuations with Atmospheric CO₂ levels due to farming and other activities, the trend of CO₂ increasing yearly. After 2020, Atmospheric CO₂ rises over 420 ppm (parts per million). This is important as CO₂ can continue to warm our planet.

SGP 30: CO₂: Measures total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and equivalent CO₂

How does it work? 1) Uses metal-oxide technology to detect gases like ethanol, hydrogen, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 2) Sensor uses these readings to estimate what the CO₂ level might be if humans were the only source of VOCs in the room.

Limitations: The SGP 30: CO₂ Sensor is an indirect measurement of CO₂. This results in a “ball park” guess, which is not an exact measurement. Moreover, this is a consideration of whether humans were the only source of VOCs which different other sources can also emit VOCs.

• Liz Cardoza worked on project during 2024 Summer REU, see REU Poster