New research suggests that Arctic forest growth could lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, contrary to previous predictions. This is due to the stimulation of soil decomposition by trees, releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere.
A new study by UCI researchers found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands can increase carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere up to eight times. The study suggests that soils could accelerate global warming through a vicious cycle, where man-made warming releases carbon from soils to the atmosphere.
A new study by Carnegie's Andrew Steele provides strong evidence that Martian organic carbon originates from the planet itself, not Earth or other meteorites. The findings reveal insights into Mars' volcanic history and suggest the presence of organic chemistry throughout its history.
Scientists from WHOI conducted a new study measuring carbon levels at various depths in the Arctic Ocean. The data will help researchers understand how carbon cycles through the marine ecosystem and respond to rising global temperatures.
The UK has launched its Centre for Carbon Measurement to improve climate data accuracy, support carbon markets, and stimulate green innovation. The centre aims to triple the £6m of low-carbon projects already being supported by NPL over three years.
A 12-year experiment found increased soil carbon storage under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, with deeper soil showing even greater gains. The study suggests that processes such as root dynamics and microbial decomposition contribute to this effect.
The Global Carbon Project has opened its first UK office at the University of East Anglia, providing objective scientific data on CO2 emissions and 'sinks' worldwide. The new office will support the annual publication of the project's global carbon budget, which quantifies global CO2 emissions in the previous year.
Phytoplankton, tiny single-celled algae, act as a natural sponge for carbon dioxide and are critical to the global carbon cycle. Research by Canada Research Chair Maria Maldonado has shown that phytoplankton adapt to iron limitation by increasing copper uptake, leading to more efficient carbon absorption.
A team of researchers from Carnegie Institution, GoodPlanet Foundation, and World Wide Fund (WWF) has produced the first large-scale, high-resolution estimates of carbon stocks in remote and fragile Madagascar. The study found that humid mountain forests had the highest carbon densities, while deforestation reduced standing carbon stocks.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change provides a high-resolution map of aboveground biomass density for the world's tropical forests, leading to better tracking of changes in biomass density and improved estimates of carbon emissions. With this map, countries can accurately report their greenhouse gas emissions under the UNFCCC.
A new study suggests that temperate freshwater wetlands are more valuable as carbon sinks than currently thought, with an average carbon storage rate of almost twice that of flow-through wetlands. The stagnant wetland stored 317 grams of carbon per square meter per year, exceeding previous measurements in other types of wetlands.
Researchers gathered at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to integrate and refine field measurements and computer models of carbon cycling in US East Coast waters. The goal is to create a single integrated carbon budget that represents the flow of carbon within and between coastal components.
A new study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that forest thinning to prevent or reduce severe wildfires releases more carbon into the atmosphere than saved by successful fire prevention. The research analyzed the effect of fuel treatments on wildfire and carbon stocks in several scenarios, concluding that eve...
Permafrost thaw could release approximately the same amount of carbon as deforestation, but with a greater impact due to methane emissions. The study estimates that by 2100, carbon released from permafrost will be 1.7-5.2 times larger than previous models.
A new project aims to reduce carbon emissions by using microscopic tubes that can adsorb CO2 from the air, with potential applications in built-up urban areas. The technology could lead to a patentable unit being developed within five years, offering a sustainable solution for reducing carbon footprint.
Scientists have found that carbon cycling in the terrestrial biosphere was much smaller during the last ice age than in today's warmer climate. The researchers estimate that only about 40 petagrams of carbon were stored in vegetation and soil per year, which is roughly one third of present-day levels.
The new US Carbon Cycle Science Plan aims to expand research on the human impact of carbon cycling and climate change. It emphasizes communication and accessible research for policy makers and the public, with a focus on strengthening observation networks and developing numerical models.
A recent report provides new ideas on the carbon and energy benefits of forests and forest products. Sustainably managed forests can store and substitute carbon, while forest biomass-based energy uses less stored carbon, reducing fossil fuel emissions.
Research shows that maintaining wildlands in and among vineyards significantly improves carbon storage. This approach can help balance global atmospheric carbon by increasing vegetation and biodiversity while reducing emissions.
Researchers found that organic carbon resides in the Ganges-Brahmaputra system for 500-17,000 years, making it a significant source of terrestrial biospheric carbon to the ocean. The relatively long carbon residence time poses big implications for the global carbon cycle.
A new study by University of Guelph professor Merritt Turetsky and colleagues found that draining northern wetlands leads to severe peatland wildfires, releasing nine times as much carbon into the atmosphere. This discovery highlights the importance of cumulative impacts on peatland ecosystems and their role in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers found significant amounts of carbon in US streams and rivers, releasing into atmosphere before reaching coastal waters. This discovery could change how scientists model carbon movement among land, water, and atmosphere.
Researchers found that US rivers and streams are a significant source of CO2, releasing as much as a car burning 40 billion gallons of gasoline into the atmosphere. This could alter carbon modeling and require adjustments to regional carbon budgets.
Scientists have discovered a new form of carbon capable of withstanding extreme pressure stresses, surpassing that of diamond. The amorphous material was created by compressing glassy carbon to above 400,000 times normal atmospheric pressure.
The Baltic Sea is a significant source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to a recent study by the University of Gothenburg. The sea's ability to absorb carbon dioxide without increasing acidity has decreased in some regions, while increased in others due to local variations.
Researchers discovered two previously overlooked stages of carbon nanotube growth, including a disorderly tangle of tube growth that yields to orderly rows. The discovery sheds light on the controlled growth phases and their purposes in producing aligned carbon nanotubes for various materials and biomedical research.
Cyclists inhale more black carbon than pedestrians, potentially causing lung damage, according to a study led by Professor Jonathan Grigg. The researchers found that cyclists have 2.3 times more black carbon in their lungs when compared with pedestrians.
Researchers have discovered how living organisms, including humans, protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning by altering the structure of haemproteins. This mechanism allows for safe levels of internal carbon monoxide production without impairing cellular functions.
A team of scientists will explore the deep carbon cycle to uncover information about carbon hundreds of miles below Earth's surface. They aim to convert carbon dioxide into a rock-like material and potentially discover new materials with industrial applications.
A new study reveals that enhanced tree growth in tropical forests can stimulate soil micro-organisms, leading to the release of stored soil carbon. Researchers found that extra litterfall triggers a process called priming, which stimulates the decomposition of carbon stored in the soil.
A USC researcher collected samples from floating sediment traps in the San Pedro Basin to study how much carbon is locked up in the ocean. Her findings suggest that the majority of particulate organic carbon falling to the basin floor is marine-derived, acting as a carbon sink taking carbon out of the atmosphere via phytoplankton and l...
Breeding crops with deeper and bushier root systems could double the amount of carbon captured from the environment, potentially reducing CO2 levels. This approach could also improve soil structure and water retention while enhancing sustainable plant yields.
A new study provides a detailed account of the natural carbon cycle in agriculture, revealing that regions dependent on others for food release more carbon than they take in. The researchers developed a national crop carbon budget, finding that the crops absorb and return about 37% of the US's total annual carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers found that reduced forest harvest levels led to increased carbon sequestration, making public lands a significant carbon sink. This discovery highlights the importance of forests in addressing global warming concerns.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a method called "passive sampling" to measure the affinity of contaminants to carbon nanotubes. This method provides reliable results for realistic applications and can remove pollutants from contaminated water, making it a promising technology for water filtration.
Scientists report that the world's forests store approximately 2.4 gigatons of carbon per year, with boreal forests accounting for nearly 22% of total stored carbon. A warming climate may reduce the capacity of forests to sequester carbon, highlighting the importance of understanding their role in the global carbon cycle.
A recent study published in the journal Carbon Management suggests that using wood products can reduce carbon emissions by up to 10 tons per ton, making them a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Sustainably managed forests are found to be essentially carbon neutral, but older forests have limited capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.
A new study reveals that urban vegetation in Leicester stores 231,000 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 3.16 kg C per square metre of the city. Planting more trees, particularly large ones, could increase this pool by 12%.
Purdue University scientist Kevin Keener's research suggests that rapidly cooling eggs can increase the activity of lysozyme, an enzyme that defends egg whites from bacteria. By re-saturating egg whites with carbon dioxide and altering pH levels, the technology aims to create a safer food product.
A new report by US and European researchers found that world forests are becoming larger carbon sinks due to increased density, with no significant expansion of forest area. This increase in density helped maintain regional carbon levels despite deforestation, offering a way to mitigate carbon emissions through managed forestry.
A new study reveals that climate projections don't accurately reflect soil carbon release, leading to potential flaws in global warming predictions. The researchers found that temperature variability affects the amount of carbon released from soils, with higher releases expected at lower latitudes.
Researchers used the Jaguar supercomputer to simulate the interactions within carbon-14 nuclei and found that strong three-nucleon forces extend its decay. This discovery helps explain why carbon-14 is a useful tool for dating ancient objects.
A Purdue University-led team analyzed prehistoric data to find the Earth's recovery from 56 million-year-old high CO2 levels was quicker than models predicted. The study suggests that more than half of added carbon dioxide was pulled from the atmosphere within 30,000 to 40,000 years.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists found that black carbon aerosols have a greater effect on surface warming when emitted near the land and ocean surface. However, as altitude increases, surface warming decreases, while cooling occurs in the stratosphere.
A recent study found that mangroves store up to four times more carbon per hectare than most tropical forests. The high-carbon storage capacity of mangroves can be attributed to their deep organic-rich soils and complex root systems.
Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could increase global precipitation and prevent droughts, according to Carnegie Global Ecology scientists. The team's novel explanation shows that cutting CO2 can lead to an increase in thunderstorms and rainfall.
A study published in the International Journal of Water suggests that improving land management and farming practices in Australia could mitigate global climate change. Natural Sequence Farming, a technique developed by Peter Andrews and Duane Norris, mimics the once-efficient functions of the Australian landscape to improve soil healt...
A team of scientists has developed new methods for mapping carbon in Hawaii's forests, resulting in more accurate estimates and a lower cost. The approach reveals fundamental ecological controls over carbon storage and provides valuable insights into the state and dynamics of the world's forests.
The research aims to mitigate Arctic climate change by reducing black carbon emissions at mid-latitudes and Europe. The study will assess the impact of black carbon on Arctic climate and its links with warming caused by carbon dioxide.
A carbon swap bank could lead to genuine reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, according to Australian researchers. The concept allows for direct deposits of sequestered carbon and withdrawals of emission rights, bypassing issues with accurate measurement and international regulation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simpler method to add iron to tiny carbon spheres, creating catalytic materials that can remove pollutants. The new technique uses ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and produces ash-free, inexpensive materials with potential applications for fuel cells and environmental remediation.
Researchers reconstruct carbon dioxide levels during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, a 400,000-year period of extreme global warming. They found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels doubled, leading to temperature increases of 4-6 degrees Celsius.
Researchers have discovered that eggshell membranes can absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, with one study showing absorption of up to seven times the membrane's own weight. This finding presents a promising approach for mitigating climate change by utilizing waste eggshells as a carbon capture material.
New University of Florida research reveals that old carbon was stored in the icy waters of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica during the last glacial period. This discovery has significant implications for understanding future global warming scenarios and how much atmospheric carbon dioxide the oceans can absorb in the future.
Researchers propose strategies to increase plant efficiency in absorbing light, altering root carbon conversion, and boosting bioenergy crops to combat climate change. The use of genetically engineered plants for carbon sequestration is part of a broader effort to enhance natural biological processes.
Rutgers marine scientist Elisabeth Sikes and her colleagues discovered a regional 'de-gassing' of carbon dioxide in the South Pacific and Southern Ocean after the last ice age, challenging global assumptions. This finding has significant implications for understanding ocean CO2 dynamics and geo-engineering.
A study by Rice University geochemists found that human activities like damming have completely obscured the natural carbon dioxide cycle in the Brazos River. The researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine the age of carbon dioxide samples from seven sites along the river, revealing a unique geochemical story.
The new model incorporates data on the carbon cycle, including ocean and forest absorption and release of CO2, to simulate future changes in global climate and carbon dioxide emissions. By reducing emissions by 56% by 2050, global warming would remain under the two-degree threshold until 2100.
Research at Uppsala University found a strong connection between lake sediment temperature and carbon dioxide production. A warmer climate is expected to increase carbon dioxide emissions by 4-27% over the next hundred years due to decreased organic carbon deposition.
Removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere would cool the planet, but complexities of the carbon cycle limit its effectiveness. A long-term commitment spanning decades or centuries is required to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations low.