Up until now, researchers have estimated the amounts of naturally released carbon dioxide by counting and evaluating active volcanos.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Estimating the amounts of naturally occurring carbon dioxide can help scientists determine the contribution of humans to global carbon dioxide. Using a statistically designed sampling method, Werner and Dr. Susan Brantley, professor of geosciences, investigated the northeastern section of Yellowstone for carbon dioxide out gassing. Their method was based on measured emissions rather than any visual cues in the area. We have found that you cannot let your senses bias the research, especially with a gas that cannot be seen or smelled and that does not, in itself, destroy vegetation. Some visually inactive areas gave off as much as 32,000 grams per square meter per day of carbon dioxide while crop areas produce usually less than 30 grams per square meter per day and healthy forest only 20 grams per square meter per day.