scholarly journals Algal constraints on the Cenozoic history of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub>?

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Henderiks ◽  
R. E. M. Rickaby
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Temperature Sensitivity ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Evolutionary Memory

Abstract. An urgent question for future climate, in light of increased burning of fossil fuels, is the temperature sensitivity of the climate system to atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2). To date, no direct proxy for past levels of pCO2 exists beyond the reach of the polar ice core records. We propose a new methodology for placing an upper constraint on pCO2 over the Cenozoic based on the living geological record. Specifically, our premise is that the contrasting calcification tolerance of various extant species of coccolithophore to raised pCO2 reflects an "evolutionary memory" of past atmospheric composition. The different times of first emergence of each morphospecies allows an upper constraint of past pCO2 to be placed on Cenozoic timeslices. Further, our hypothesis has implications for the response of marine calcifiers to ocean acidification. Geologically "ancient" species, which have survived large changes in ocean chemistry, are likely more resilient to predicted acidification.

scholarly journals A coccolithophore concept for constraining the Cenozoic carbon cycle

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Henderiks ◽  
R. E. M. Rickaby
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Temperature Sensitivity ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Physiological Plasticity ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Evolutionary Memory

Abstract. An urgent question for future climate, in light of increased burning of fossil fuels, is the temperature sensitivity of the climate system to atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO>sub>2). To date, no direct proxy for past levels of pCO2 exists beyond the reach of the polar ice core records. We propose a new methodology for placing a constraint on pCO2 over the Cenozoic based on the physiological plasticity of extant coccolithophores. Specifically, our premise is that the contrasting calcification tolerance of various extant species of coccolithophore to raised pCO2 reflects an "evolutionary memory" of past atmospheric composition. The different times of evolution of certain morphospecies allows an upper constraint of past pCO2 to be placed on Cenozoic timeslices. Further, our hypothesis has implications for the response of marine calcifiers to ocean acidification. Geologically "ancient" species, which have survived large changes in ocean chemistry, are likely more resilient to predicted acidification.

scholarly journals Stable-Isotope Ratios and Concentration of CO2 in Air from Polar Ice Cores

1988 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Siegenthaler ◽  
H. Friedli ◽  
H. Loetscher ◽  
E. Moor ◽  
A. Neftel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Isotope Fractionation ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Isotopic Equilibrium ◽  
Calculated Equilibrium ◽  
Fractionation Factors

Analyses of air trapped in an ice core from the South Pole indicate that the CO2 concentration may have increased by about 10 ppm and that the 13C/12C ratio decreased slightly in the thirteenth century. These changes, if really of atmospheric origin, must be due to a significant input into the atmosphere of CO2, either of biogenic or of oceanic origin. 18O/16O ratios in CO2 from different ice cores are much lower than those which have been observed in atmospheric carbon dioxide. A possible explanation is that the CO2 has equilibrated isotopically with the ice. We have calculated equilibrium isotope-fractionation factors between ice and carbon dioxide and found that the observed 18O/16O ratios of CO2 are indeed near isotopic equilibrium with the ice. This indicates that an exchange of oxygen atoms probably occurs between ice and included CO2.

scholarly journals Stable-Isotope Ratios and Concentration of CO2in Air from Polar Ice Cores

1988 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Siegenthaler ◽  
H. Friedli ◽  
H. Loetscher ◽  
E. Moor ◽  
A. Neftel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Isotope Fractionation ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Isotopic Equilibrium ◽  
Calculated Equilibrium ◽  
Fractionation Factors

Analyses of air trapped in an ice core from the South Pole indicate that the CO2concentration may have increased by about 10 ppm and that the13C/12C ratio decreased slightly in the thirteenth century. These changes, if really of atmospheric origin, must be due to a significant input into the atmosphere of CO2, either of biogenic or of oceanic origin.18O/16O ratios in CO2from different ice cores are much lower than those which have been observed in atmospheric carbon dioxide. A possible explanation is that the CO2has equilibrated isotopically with the ice. We have calculated equilibrium isotope-fractionation factors between ice and carbon dioxide and found that the observed18O/16O ratios of CO2are indeed near isotopic equilibrium with the ice. This indicates that an exchange of oxygen atoms probably occurs between ice and included CO2.

scholarly journals Using airborne HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) to evaluate model and remote sensing estimates of atmospheric carbon dioxide

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 7867-7878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Frankenberg ◽  
Susan S. Kulawik ◽  
Steven C. Wofsy ◽  
Frédéric Chevallier ◽  
Bruce Daube ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon

Abstract. In recent years, space-borne observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) have been increasingly used in global carbon-cycle studies. In order to obtain added value from space-borne measurements, they have to suffice stringent accuracy and precision requirements, with the latter being less crucial as it can be reduced by just enhanced sample size. Validation of CO2 column-averaged dry air mole fractions (XCO2) heavily relies on measurements of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). Owing to the sparseness of the network and the requirements imposed on space-based measurements, independent additional validation is highly valuable. Here, we use observations from the High-Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER) Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) flights from 01/2009 through 09/2011 to validate CO2 measurements from satellites (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite – GOSAT, Thermal Emission Sounder – TES, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder – AIRS) and atmospheric inversion models (CarbonTracker CT2013B, Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC) v13r1). We find that the atmospheric models capture the XCO2 variability observed in HIPPO flights very well, with correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.93 and 0.95 for CT2013B and MACC, respectively. Some larger discrepancies can be observed in profile comparisons at higher latitudes, in particular at 300 hPa during the peaks of either carbon uptake or release. These deviations can be up to 4 ppm and hint at misrepresentation of vertical transport. Comparisons with the GOSAT satellite are of comparable quality, with an r2 of 0.85, a mean bias μ of −0.06 ppm, and a standard deviation σ of 0.45 ppm. TES exhibits an r2 of 0.75, μ of 0.34 ppm, and σ of 1.13 ppm. For AIRS, we find an r2 of 0.37, μ of 1.11 ppm, and σ of 1.46 ppm, with latitude-dependent biases. For these comparisons at least 6, 20, and 50 atmospheric soundings have been averaged for GOSAT, TES, and AIRS, respectively. Overall, we find that GOSAT soundings over the remote Pacific Ocean mostly meet the stringent accuracy requirements of about 0.5 ppm for space-based CO2 observations.

scholarly journals The Influence On Atmospheric Composition of Volcanic Eruptions as Derived From Ice-Core Analysis

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.U. Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Core Analysis ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Ice Caps ◽  
The Past ◽  
Polar Ice Sheets

Polar ice cores offer datable past snow deposits in the form of annual ice layers, which reflect the past atmospheric composition. Trace substances in the cores are related to the past mid-tropospheric impurity load, this being due to the vast extent of the polar ice sheets (or ice caps), their surface elevations and remoteness from most aerosol sources. Volcanic eruptions add to the rather low background impurity load via their eruptive products. This paper concentrates on the widespread influence on atmospheric impurity loads caused by the acid gas products from volcanic eruptions. In particular the following subjects are discussed: acid volcanic signals in ice cores, latitude of eruptions as derived by ice-core analysis, inter-hemispheric dating of the two polar ice sheets by equatorial eruptions, volcanic deposits in ice cores during the last glacial period and climatic implications.

Spatiotemporal Monitoring of CO2 and CH4 over Pakistan Using Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Irfan Mahmood ◽  
Muhammad Farooq Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Imran Shahzad ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Luqman Atique
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Considerable Increase ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Atmospheric Concentration ◽  
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder ◽  
Radiative Balance ◽  
Atmospheric Concentrations

Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) are two most potent greenhouse gases and are major source of climate change. Human activities particularly fossil fuels burning have caused considerable increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. CO2contributes 60% of anthropogenic greenhouse effect whereas CH4contributes 15%. Ice core records also show that the concentrations of Carbon dioxide and methane have increased substantially. The emission of these gases alters the Earth’s energy budget and are drivers of climate change. In the present study, atmospheric concentration of CO2and CH4over Pakistan is measured using Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). Time series and time averaged maps are prepared to measure the concentrations of CO2and CH4. The results show considerable increase in concentration of Carbon dioxide and methane. The substantial increase in these concentrations can affect human health, earth radiative balance and can damage crops.

scholarly journals The Influence On Atmospheric Composition of Volcanic Eruptions as Derived From Ice-Core Analysis

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.U. Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Core Analysis ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Ice Caps ◽  
The Past ◽  
Polar Ice Sheets

Polar ice cores offer datable past snow deposits in the form of annual ice layers, which reflect the past atmospheric composition. Trace substances in the cores are related to the past mid-tropospheric impurity load, this being due to the vast extent of the polar ice sheets (or ice caps), their surface elevations and remoteness from most aerosol sources. Volcanic eruptions add to the rather low background impurity load via their eruptive products. This paper concentrates on the widespread influence on atmospheric impurity loads caused by the acid gas products from volcanic eruptions. In particular the following subjects are discussed: acid volcanic signals in ice cores, latitude of eruptions as derived by ice-core analysis, inter-hemispheric dating of the two polar ice sheets by equatorial eruptions, volcanic deposits in ice cores during the last glacial period and climatic implications.

Short-rotation woody crop systems, atmospheric carbon dioxide and carbon management: A U.S. case study

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Tuskan ◽  
Marie E. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Carbon Management ◽  
Short Rotation Woody Crops ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Woody Crop

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are increasing along with global use of fossil fuels and worldwide rates of deforestation. These trends have led international panels and organizations to devise carbon management strategies in an effort to curb increases in CO2. The goal of this paper is to explore the potential role of short-rotation woody crops (SRWC) in the U.S. as one option in a carbon-managed future economy. On a scale of 40 × 106 ha, and at an average productivity rate of 21 Mg oven-dry biomass ha−1 yr−1, SRWC systems could account for an average of 0.30 Pg of C yr−1 when prorated over the 50-year deployment life of a typical SRWC system. Most of the accounted carbon (76%) would come from fossil fuel displacement as opposed to direct carbon sequestration. The proportion of accounted carbon associated with fossil fuel displacement increases with longer time frames due to the relatively rapid saturation of the carbon sequestration pool. Key words: Populus, biomass, carbon sequestration, carbon displacement, Kyoto Protocol, CO2

scholarly journals The Utah urban carbon dioxide (UUCON) and Uintah Basin greenhouse gas networks: instrumentation, data, and measurement uncertainty

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1291-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Bares ◽  
Logan Mitchell ◽  
Ben Fasoli ◽  
David R. Bowling ◽  
Douglas Catharine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Atmospheric Modeling ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Sampling Protocols ◽  
Northern Utah ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Uintah Basin

Abstract. The Utah Urban CO2 Network (UUCON) is a network of near-surface atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement sites aimed at quantifying long-term changes in urban and rural locations throughout northern Utah since 2001. We document improvements to UUCON made in 2015 that increase measurement precision, standardize sampling protocols, and expand the number of measurement locations to represent a larger region in northern Utah. In a parallel effort, near-surface CO2 and methane (CH4) measurement sites were assembled as part of the Uintah Basin greenhouse gas (GHG) network in a region of oil and natural gas extraction located in northeastern Utah. Additional efforts have resulted in automated quality control, calibration, and visualization of data through utilities hosted online (https://air.utah.edu, last access: 22 August 2019). These improvements facilitate atmospheric modeling efforts and quantify atmospheric composition in urban and rural locations throughout northern Utah. Here we present an overview of the instrumentation design and methods within UUCON and the Uintah Basin GHG networks as well as describe and report measurement uncertainties using a broadly applicable and novel method. Historic and modern data described in this paper are archived with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and can be found at https://doi.org/10.7289/V50R9MN2 (Mitchell et al., 2018c) and https://doi.org/10.25921/8vaj-bk51 (Bares et al., 2018a) respectively.

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