CO2 gas is found in small proportions in the atmosphere (about 385 ppmvd1); it is

assimilated by plants which in turn produce oxygen by photosynthesis. It is

produced from the combustion of coal or hydrocarbons, the fermentation of liquids
and the breathing of humans and animals. CO2 is also found beneath the earth's
surface and emerges during volcanic activity, in hot springs and other places where
the earth's crust is thin. It is found in lakes, and at great depth under the sea2.
It is also commingled with oil and gas deposits.
CO2 comprises two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom, with an
O-C-O angle of 180�. As such, it is very stable with no known natural process other
than photosynthesis capable of reducing CO2 to oxygen.
CO2 is widely used commercially. It is employed in the chemical processing
industries to control reactor temperatures, to neutralise alkaline effluents, and
used under supercritical conditions for purifying or dyeing polymer, animal or
vegetable fibres.