ANÁLISE DA CONCENTRAÇÃO DE DIÓXIDO DE CARBONO EM UMA REGIÃO URBANA DE GURUPI, TOCANTINS, BRASIL

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases (GHGs) on our planet. Naturally present in the atmosphere, its high concentrations contribute significantly to climate change. Since the industrial revolution, there has been an alarming increase in GHG levels. For instance, the construction industry is cited as one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere; in Europe alone, CO2 emissions from the construction industry account for about 30% of the total, with the cement industry contributing 7% of that amount. Despite this data, there are few studies in Brazil focused on analyzing carbon dioxide concentrations in cities. The objective of this article is to quantitatively measure and evaluate the concentration of carbon dioxide levels in an urban area of Gurupi, Tocantins, Brazil. Additionally, a comparison was made between CO2 levels in two construction sites and those found in the central region and a more wooded area of the city. Data collection was done using the JD-3002 Air Quality Tester, a multifunctional device capable of measuring CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The results showed an average concentration of 404 ppm of carbon dioxide across the four evaluated locations. Although there was a difference in CO2 levels between the construction sites and the peripheral area with high vegetation, this difference was not considered significant. However, a close relationship was observed between airborne CO2 levels and ventilation. For example, a building under construction with limited air circulation exhibited the highest levels of this gas in its microclimate, remaining suspended in the air for longer periods.