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Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a colorless gas.
Atmospheric concentration is ~0.04% (412 ppm) by volume, an increase from pre-industrial levels of 280 ppm
CO2 at normal levels is not dangerous. It is a non-flammable gas. It is non-toxic at the low levels growers employ.
CO2 can pose health risks in extreme concentrations (above 50,000 ppm), but this level is more than 30 times the maximum plants find useful.
C3 carbon fixation is the most common pathway for carbon fixation in photosynthesis;
This reaction occurs in all plants as the first step of the Calvin–Benson cycle. (In C4 and CAM plants, carbon dioxide is drawn out of malate (malic acid) and into this reaction rather than directly from the air.)
At less than 100 ppm of CO2 photosynthesis does not take place and plants suffer a net loss of sugar due to respiration; At 100 ppm CO2 respiration and photosynthesis are equal so there is no net loss or gain.
At 400 ppm (same as outside air) photosynthesis increases quickly as the CO2 levels climb.
The increase in photosynthesis is more moderate as the CO2 concentration climbs to 800 ppm.
Above 600 ppm of CO2, the photosynthesis rate continues to climb but at an even slower rate, until the rate increase levels off at about 1200 ppm.
The increase is moderate, but significant between 800 and 1200 ppm.
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"How do broad spectrum light intensities and CO2 concentrations affect the photosynthetic rate of Cannabis?"
Exploring this question may be more significant, because understanding responses to a range of PPFD and an associated range of CO2 will allow professionals to consider costs and benefits of investing in lights, gas or both.
For example, this research could provide information to resolve and exploit a question like, "Will elevated concentrations of CO2 combined with a 'sub-maximal' broad spectrum light intensity of 700 µmol/m2/s potentiate photosynthesis?"
Improving Cannabis growth may be more cost-effective if coaxed by pumping gas.. not by burning more lights.
Many plants grown under moderate PPFD, develop greater biomass in an environment supplemented with CO2.
Moreover, it's well known that elevated CO2 directly affects flowering plants by increasing the number and size of flowers.
Light intensity is certainly critical, but elevated CO2 appears to further leverage cultivation.
A bigger question may be, "What combination of broad spectrum PPFD and CO2 induces maximal photosynthesis in Cannabis?"
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Unlike other carbon capture technologies, MechanicalTree technology can remove CO2 from the atmosphere without the need to draw air through the system. Wind blows air through the system making it a passive, relatively low-cost and scalable solution that is commercially viable.
The proprietary technology of the device acts like a tree that is about a thousand times more efficient at removing CO2 from the air. The MechanicalTrees allow the captured gas to be sequestered or sold for reuse in a variety of applications, such as synthetic fuels, enhanced oil recovery or in food, beverage and agriculture industries.
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Air conditioners similar to a swamp cooler.. but different (PVC, calcium chloride solution, aqaurium pumps, plastic balls)
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