Earth's carbon levels plummet as October arrives in the northern hemisphere

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Earth is a living thing, as the northern hemisphere breathes a breath of fresh air into the month of October.

Oxygen levels are expected to peak in the month of October as atmospheric carbon dioxide drops to its lowest levels of the year. In general, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels continue to climb and have been climbing for decades. The human-caused spike in CO₂ levels continues to feed the global climate crises of a warming atmosphere. However, there are ebbs and flows seasonally when it comes to the levels of CO₂ and oxygen in the atmosphere.

NASA and NOAA climatologists explain the earth's breathing pattern as an "annual rise and fall of CO₂ levels caused by seasonal cycles in photosynthesis on a massive scale. In Northern Hemisphere spring, plants come to life and draw in CO₂ to fuel their growth. This begins the process of lowering the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. In northern autumn, plant growth stops or slows down, and the whole process reverses itself. Much of the plant matter decomposes, releasing CO₂ back to the atmosphere."

So, fall is not only a great time enjoy the cooler temperatures and fall colors, but to also breathe some of cleanest air of the year.