Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide (chemical formula: CO₂) is a chemical substance that occupies about 96 % of Mars's atmosphere.

Molar Mass of 12(C)+32(O₂)=44

Biological significance

The metabolism of human beings, animals and various microbes depends on the oxidation of carbohydrates, resulting in carbon dioxide and water exhalation.

Plants use the carbon from CO₂, and release the oxygen back to the atmosphere.

Uses

• Food Preservation

• Photosynthesis by plants in greenhouses
• Synthetic materials, hydrocarbons using the Fischer Tropsch reaction process.
• Propellant. Methane (Ch4) and Oxygen, through ISRU using the Sabatier process.
• Carbon using the Bosch reaction process