SUSTAINABLE
DESIGNS
CARBON GASES
ZERO FOOTPRINT
Noor ul Esha (20014795-007)
CARBON
Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number
6. It is a nonmetal with a variety of forms, including graphite,
diamond, and amorphous carbon. Carbon is widely distributed in
nature and is fundamental to life on Earth, serving as the backbone
of organic compounds found in all living organisms. It exhibits
remarkable versatility, forming numerous compounds with other
elements, and plays a crucial role in various industrial processes,
biological functions, and environmental cycles
WHAT IS CARBON DIOXIDE GAS?
Carbon dioxide is a colorless and non-flammable gas at normal temperature and pressure.
Although much less abundant than nitrogen and oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, carbon dioxide is
an important constituent of our planet's air. A molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) is made up of one
carbon atom and two oxygen atoms
WHAT IS CARBON MONOOXIDE GAS?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas and is represented as CO. It has one carbon atom which is
covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. It is also known as Carbonic oxide or Carbon oxide. It is
a toxic gas. It is odorless and has no taste.
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EXISTANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS
Isotopes:
Carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes: Carbon-12 (C-12), Carbon-13 (C-13), and
Carbon-14 (C-14). Carbon-12 is the most abundant, while Carbon-14 is radioactive and commonly
used in carbon dating to determine the age of organic materials.
Allotropes:
Carbon can exist in different allotropes, including diamond, graphite, and amorphous
carbon. Each allotrope has unique properties due to the different arrangements of carbon atoms
within their structures. For instance, diamond is known for its hardness and brilliance, graphite for
its lubricating properties and conductivity, and amorphous carbon for its lack of a defined
crystalline structure.
Oxidation States:
The most common oxidation state of carbon is +4, but it can also exhibit oxidation states
of +2 and 0 in various inorganic compounds and carbonyl compounds. This versatility in oxidation
states allows carbon to participate in a wide range of chemical reactions and form diverse
compounds
USES OF CARBON IN LIFE
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USES IN ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTIONAL ASPECTS
Sustainable Materials:
Architects use sustainable materials like bamboo, timber, and recycled steel with lower
embodied carbon to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
Architects can incorporate technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions
generated during building operation or construction processes.
Carbon Sequestration in Landscaping:
Incorporating green roofs, living walls, and extensive landscaping helps sequester carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere and improve urban air quality.
Carbon-efficient Construction Techniques: Using construction techniques like
prefabrication and passive design strategies minimizes material waste and energy
consumption.
Green Building Certifications:
Architects adhere to green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM to ensure
designs meet rigorous sustainability criteria, including carbon reduction targets.
Carbon-neutral Transportation Hubs:
Designing transportation hubs to encourage low-carbon transportation modes, such as
electric vehicles and public transit, further reduces carbon emissions in the built environment.
WHAT IS ZERO FOOT PRINT?
The carbon footprint is a word that is used to denote the total
volume of greenhouse gases that are being generated from
daily human activity.
FOR EXAMPLE,
in the context of carbon emissions, achieving a "zero carbon
footprint" would involve balancing out any carbon dioxide
emissions produced through activities like energy
consumption, transportation, or manufacturing by either
reducing emissions through efficiency measures or offsetting
them through carbon offset projects, such as tree planting or
investing in renewable energy projects
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