Carbon monoxide exposure cases rise after snowstorms and power loss, with generators and car exhaust as common sources; public health education crucial to prevent poisoning.
A recent study by Rice University and colleagues analyzed the environmental fate of black carbon in deep ocean sediments. They found that more than half of black carbon never reaches the bottom, but instead stays dissolved in seawater or gets trapped in particles before sinking to the seafloor.
Researchers found that arid ecosystems, which cover nearly half the earth's land surface, can take up a significant amount of carbon as CO2 levels rise. The study suggests that these ecosystems could account for 15-28% of current carbon absorption, potentially offsetting 4-8% of current emissions by 2050.
A new study found that growing season gains from permafrost thaw are outweighed by increased winter respiration, leading to enhanced carbon losses. The research suggests that the Arctic's stored carbon could reach catastrophic levels within a century if permafrost continues to thaw.
Researchers at Umeå University have developed a method to engineer carbon nanotube networks into complex architectures, significantly improving charge transport and reducing material costs. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate the development of flexible carbon-based solar cells.
Research reveals tropical ecosystems releasing 2 billion extra tonnes of carbon into atmosphere per year with each 1 degree rise in tropical temperature. The study suggests increased vulnerability of tropical ecosystems to climate change, contradicting current land carbon cycle models.
Research by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientist Benjamin Turner and colleagues reveals that fungi are a key driver of soil carbon storage. Fungi can lead to 70% more carbon in the soil by accessing organic forms of nitrogen, limiting the activity of microorganisms that break down dead organic matter.
Symbiotic fungi in plant roots store and release carbon, with certain types leading to 70% more carbon storage. This discovery challenges current understanding of soil carbon pools and their impact on climate predictions.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.
A new study by Aarhus University reveals the optimal locations for carbon-stocking projects in Africa, prioritizing regions with high carbon potential, biodiversity conservation, and feasibility. The research identifies areas such as the Upper Guinean rainforests of West Africa and the Lower Guinean rainforests along the coast of Niger...
New research suggests that global warming of four degrees or more will lead to a saturation point for vegetation's ability to absorb CO2, resulting in a decrease in the 'carbon sink' effect. This shift in focus could change how scientists approach understanding and mitigating climate change.
Researchers estimate that coastal areas absorb approximately 250 million metric tons of carbon each year, compared to a century ago when they released about 150 million metric tons. This shift suggests that coastal oceans play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and can help counteract climate change.
A new analysis published in Nature suggests that the coastal ocean now takes in more carbon dioxide than it releases, potentially impacting global predictions related to climate change. Researchers propose a mechanism for the shift, which could make the coastal ocean a more important carbon sink in the future.
Researchers at MIT found that the Arctic Ocean is becoming a more efficient carbon sink due to increased biological growth in summer months. However, some regions, such as the Barents Sea, become carbon sources, emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a novel co-catalyst system that efficiently converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, a useful starting material for synthesizing fuels. The system uses inexpensive and easy-to-fabricate carbon-based nanofiber materials, offering a promising solution for producing synth...
A Princeton University-led study found that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could continue to warm the planet for hundreds of years after a sudden halt in emissions. The researchers simulated an abrupt stop in carbon emissions and found that the planet warmed by 0.37 degrees Celsius over 400 years.
Global carbon emissions are set to reach a record 36 billion tonnes in 2013, with the US and EU also major contributors. The growth in coal is driving most of the increase, and cumulative CO2 emissions since 1870 are expected to exceed 200 trillion tonnes.
A Princeton University study found that plants have prevented climate change by absorbing 186 billion to 192 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere since the mid-20th century. This 'carbon sink' has kept global temperatures cooler by one-third of a degree Celsius, preventing catastrophic climate change.
Research finds that animal populations can significantly influence carbon storage and exchange in regional ecosystems, often rivaling the impact of fossil fuel emissions. This underplayed role highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the indirect effects of animals on the carbon cycle.
A University of Missouri researcher has found evidence suggesting the Late Cretaceous Period was ice-free, despite initial thoughts of a continental ice sheet. The study uses fossilized shells to analyze oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, providing insights into past temperatures and environmental conditions.
A study finds that seasonal carbon dioxide variations have substantially changed during the last 50 years, with a 50% increase in high latitude regions. This is due to increased carbon emissions from fossil fuels and land-based ecosystems taking deeper breaths.
A new study reveals that Australian soils are losing significant amounts of carbon to wind erosion, with an estimated 1.6 million tonnes lost annually. This loss affects not only agricultural productivity but also the country's carbon accounts and climate change projections.
A new study from Northern Arizona University found that ecosystems have a limited capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and soil microorganisms play a crucial role in determining carbon storage. The study suggests that widely accepted carbon cycle models overestimate the impact of ecosystems on absorbing carbon.
A new computer model developed by a UCI-led team accurately accounts for bacteria and fungi's impact on soil carbon, leading to more reliable forecasts. The model suggests two novel scenarios: soil accumulating or releasing carbon due to microbial growth changes with temperature.
Researchers have developed a high-fidelity national carbon map of Panama using field data, satellite imagery, and LiDAR measurements. The maps provide unprecedented accuracy in estimating carbon stocks at the national level, with an uncertainty of around 10% per hectare.
Researchers at Boston College and Nagoya University have synthesized the first example of a new form of carbon, grossly warped graphene, which alters its physical, optical and electronic properties. The new material consists of multiple identical pieces of warped graphene with exactly 80 carbon atoms joined together in a network of 26 ...
Researchers found that two 15-year-old constructed marshes in Ohio accumulated soil carbon at an average annual rate of 2150 pounds per acre, surpassing natural wetlands and other agricultural lands. This suggests that restored and man-made wetlands should be considered for long-term carbon storage.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed an inexpensive catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels for powering cars, homes, and businesses. The catalyst uses solar energy to convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, a valuable commodity chemical with many industrial applications.
A recent study found that the presence of spiders drives up the rate of carbon uptake by plants, while also changing their storage patterns. This effect is linked to the predator-prey relationship between grasshoppers and spiders, highlighting the vital role of predators in regulating the carbon cycle.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that logging can release large amounts of carbon stored in deep forest soils, potentially offsetting the benefits of using wood for energy. The research suggests that increased reliance on forest biomass may actually increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
A new study found that human activities are increasing the movement of carbon from land to rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions, with a significant fraction stored in aquatic systems. This discovery affects current estimates of carbon storage on land, highlighting the need for accurate assessments of the 'land-ocean aquatic continuum'.
Researchers discovered that woody plant matter is almost completely digested by bacteria living in the Amazon River, fueling its breath and playing a major role in the global carbon cycle. The finding suggests that rivers are more like metabolic hotspots than passive pipes, with only 5% of the rainforest's carbon ever reaching the ocean.
A study by Elizabethtown College researchers found that residential lawns in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, release more carbon dioxide than corn fields, primarily due to soil temperature. Temperature variations within developed areas contribute to smaller-scale urban heat islands.
Research finds that a significant proportion of black carbon in soil dissolves into rivers and flows to the ocean, undermining efforts to use soil as a carbon sink. The study estimated that 27 million tons of black carbon flow from rivers to oceans annually.
Researchers discovered that iron carbonyl is the main form of carbon trapped in magmas on Mars, releasing carbon monoxide and methane gases. This finding suggests that early Mars' volcanism could have released enough greenhouse gases to warm the planet significantly.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
Household carbon emissions in Northwestern China are mainly affected by geographic environment, family size, and income, with a relatively low per capita emission of 2.05 tons CO2. Household carbon emission varies between urban and rural households, as well as between provinces.
The Deep Carbon Observatory investigates deep carbon's movement, origin and forms, shedding light on the planet's oldest ecosystem. Studies suggest a significant amount of carbon may be locked into minerals and melts in the mantle and core.
A recent study found that Arctic permafrost's ancient carbon is released into the atmosphere at a rate 40% faster than previously thought when exposed to sunlight. Sunlight increases bacterial conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide, which accelerates climate warming.
A low-carbon hybrid energy system is proposed to integrate coal with nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, and hydro power to reduce CO2 emission and recycle carbon. The system utilizes carbon recycling to produce useful materials while increasing energy efficiency.
A study by University of Exeter researchers reveals tropical forests' sensitivity to climate change, with significant carbon release expected if climate models are inaccurate. The team found a correlation between year-to-year variations in carbon dioxide concentration and long-term changes in tropical forest carbon storage.
A new protocol has been developed to measure soil organic carbon sequestration more accurately. The protocol considers the impact of tillage practices on soil organic carbon storage and loss over time.
A new study calculates the impact of ocean iron fertilization on carbon sequestration, finding that it is unlikely to be an effective method for reducing greenhouse gas levels. The study estimates a net sequestration rate of just 10 tonnes of carbon per square kilometer, making it a costly and inefficient solution.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that carbon nanotubes can accelerate the growth of neuronal cells and lower nerve-damaging chloride levels. This finding has potential applications in developing new neural engineering devices using carbon nanotubes to treat neural injuries.
Kerosene wick lamps release 20 times more black carbon than previously thought, a hazard for human health and the environment. Replacing kerosene lamps with inexpensive LED alternatives can curb black carbon emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that kerosene lamps produce 7-9% black carbon when burned, leading to a twentyfold increase in estimated black carbon emissions from lighting. Replacing kerosene lamps with cleaner alternatives could yield significant climate benefits and improve public health.
Scientists warn that plants and soils could react to warming by releasing additional carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. The study found vast potential range in future terrestrial carbon storage, posing challenges for climate change risk management.
Scientists will investigate connections between soil microorganisms and the carbon cycle, with potential implications for global warming. The project aims to understand how changes in soil carbon levels trigger chain reactions that convert stable carbon into atmospheric CO2.
A new study reveals that a significant amount of carbon released into lakes and rivers is very old, approximately 1,000 to 3,000 years old. This finding challenges the current models of long-term carbon storage in lakes and rivers, suggesting a significant lag in the coupling between terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Fungi found in plants stimulate decomposition rates of organic materials when exposed to higher carbon dioxide levels, limiting soil's ability to store extra carbon. This can lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions and reduced capacity to mitigate climate change.
A recent field study in California cities found black carbon absorption enhancements of just 6 percent, suggesting that climate models may be overestimating warming by black carbon. The researchers' findings highlight the complexity of airborne particles and challenge existing projections about their impact on global and regional climate.
Underground organisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a dual role in soil carbon sequestration, both storing and releasing carbon as atmospheric carbon levels rise. The study challenges assumptions about their protective effects on organic carbon.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a new carbon cycling model that accounts for microbes' role in releasing CO2 from the ground, improving scientists' understanding of future climate change. The MEND model simulates carbon cycle processes and estimates parameters based on comprehensive literature review.
Researchers found that localized pathways created by winds, currents, and eddies draw waters down into the deep ocean, locking away carbon from the atmosphere. This improved understanding helps predict effects of climate change on ocean carbon absorption.
A team of scientists has discovered a method of how carbon is drawn down from the surface of the Southern Ocean to deep waters, utilizing winds, currents, and eddies. This understanding improves knowledge of climate change effects on ocean carbon absorption.
By 2040, parts of Washington State could lose up to a third of their carbon stores due to increasing wildfire risk. This would significantly impact the region's ability to act as carbon sinks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Forest soils lose more carbon under elevated CO2 levels, contrary to previous assumptions. The IU-led research reveals that microorganisms play a key role in this process.
Researchers at Kansas State University are studying the geochemical effectiveness of trapping and storing carbon dioxide in the Arbuckle aquifer, a porous rock layer that could permanently store CO2. The study aims to understand how to sequester carbon dioxide and keep it from reaching the atmosphere.
Research from Carnegie Institution shows pre-industrial era's clearing of land and forests contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide, affecting global warming. Accounting for these emissions shifts attribution of global temperature from industrialized nations to developing nations.
Researchers at Winrock International developed a more accurate estimate of gross carbon emissions from tropical deforestation for the early 2000s. The study found that global emissions from deforestation were approximately one-third lower than previously published estimates, with Brazil and Indonesia accounting for 55% of total emissions.