Articles tagged with Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Researchers found that a past global warming period, the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, had two rapid carbon release events about 55.5 million years ago, releasing an average of 0.9 petagrams of carbon per year, similar to modern anthropogenic emissions.
Researchers found that ancient global warming resembled modern climate shift, involving two pulses of carbon emissions. The Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, which occurred 56 million years ago, showed similar rates of carbon release to human fossil-fuel emissions today.
Recent results from the Deep Carbon Observatory researchers are filling in the global carbon puzzle with findings that extend our understanding of the origins and limits of life on Earth. The report will reveal new information on diffuse degassing, including how emissions seeping out of soils vary daily and seasonally.
A new study suggests that organic carbon traces found in a Martian meteorite may have originated from biological sources. The researchers argue that the carbon content was deposited in the meteorite's fissures before it left Mars, and its isotopic ratio is consistent with biological origin.
A new theoretical equation demonstrates that every million-million tonnes of carbon emitted will generate one degree Celsius of global warming. The research also shows that surface warming is related to total carbon emissions, with little change over time as ocean carbon and heat uptake cancel each other out.
Researchers found that thawing Arctic permafrost soil may have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere around 14,600 years ago. The study suggests that this process could have amplified initial warming through positive feedback, similar to current effects of permafrost thawing in Siberia.
A new model developed by University of Maryland researchers links intensive agriculture to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, revealing a strong correlation between the Green Revolution and Earth's metabolism. The study found that crop production tripled while land planted with major crops grew by 20 percent, leading to incre...
A new model suggests that intensive agriculture is the primary reason for increased seasonal oscillations in carbon dioxide, with average annual increase of 0.3 percent. The 'Green Revolution' farming practices are boosting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, leading to a stronger seasonal cycle.
Researchers found that agricultural production, particularly corn, boosts the productivity of four leading food staples, significantly modifying the annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 in the Northern Hemisphere. This growth contributes up to a quarter of the total increase in seasonal carbon exchange, and possibly more.
A new study reveals that crop productivity has increased by as much as 25% over the past five decades, contributing to a 50% rise in CO2 seasonality. The research highlights the impact of human activities on the Earth's atmosphere, particularly through intensive agricultural management.
Scientists found that agricultural crops play a significant role in seasonal fluctuations of carbon dioxide, which could help understand and predict how Earth's vegetation reacts to global warming. The study reveals a nuance in the carbon cycle, explaining about 25% of the increase in seasonal swings with croplands.
A new study reveals that long-used field inventory plots are not representative of tropical forests, leading to biased results. Advanced three-dimensional forest mapping techniques provide a more accurate understanding of forest structures and systems on large geographic scales.
A new ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model provides a stunning visual portrait of how carbon dioxide travels around the globe. The simulation, called GEOS-5, illustrates regional variations in carbon dioxide levels and differences between northern and southern hemispheres.
Researchers created a global model of CO2 uptake using fine-scale observations, finding strong interannual variations and the Pacific Ocean dominating flux variability. The study's lead author notes that shipboard measurements provide key data for estimating ocean CO2 sink variability.
A new study by UMass Amherst scientists predicts a significant increase in grass pollen production and allergen exposure due to climate change, with potential impacts on human health. The researchers found that elevated CO2 stimulates pollen production, leading to increased exposure for individuals with grass pollen allergies.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that eliminating short-lived climate pollutants (SLCF) has a minor effect on slowing down global warming. The research found that these gases have a measurable impact but are short-lived and quickly disappear from the atmosphere, making them less effective in mitigating climate change.
A new study analyzing an ice core from West Antarctica found three 'pulses' of carbon dioxide increase, each rising about 10-15 parts per million over a period of 1-2 centuries. The researchers suggest that these rapid changes may have been caused by a combination of factors, including terrestrial processes and unknown ocean mechanisms.
Two studies by Belgian scientists investigate thermodiffusion's impact on binary and ternary mixtures, paving the way for studying multi-component mixtures in orbit. The findings also have implications for oil reservoirs and carbon capture technologies.
A new Rutgers study published in Science found that ocean circulation plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. The researchers discovered that changes in the deep ocean conveyor system around 2.7 million years ago led to global climate change, including the expansion of ice sheets and a significant drop in sea levels.
Researchers found that Arctic sea ice helps remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere through chemical processes. The discovery suggests that every winter, newly formed sea ice forms flower-like structures called frost flowers, which hold high concentrations of calcium carbonate and can impact the potential CO2 uptake in the Arctic.
Scientists at the University of Miami re-evaluate the global carbon cycle by analyzing marine sediment cores, suggesting that post-depositional changes can mimic ancient trends. This new perspective highlights the importance of understanding geological context in interpreting carbon isotope records.
Research reveals Asian monsoon's origins date back 40 million years to high CO2 levels and warmer temperatures. The climate pattern was stronger then than now and weakened with decreasing CO2 levels during an ice age.
A new study documents the warming of Greenland's large ice sheet at the end of the last ice age, resolving a long-standing paradox over when that warming occurred. The researchers used nitrogen isotope ratios to reconstruct air temperatures and found significant warming in response to increasing atmospheric CO2.
Researchers used a powerful microscope to study the birth of crystals in real time, revealing that calcium carbonate forms into different minerals through various pathways. This discovery may help scientists understand how to lock carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and better reconstruct ancient climates.
Wally Broeker advocates for carbon capture technology to reduce global warming by capturing atmospheric CO2 and storing it underground. He argues that this approach is crucial to mitigating the effects of human activity on the environment.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.
A 25-year-long study reveals that ants can accelerate mineral decay, which may help geoengineer accelerated CO2 consumption. The researchers suggest that understanding ant-mineral interactions could offer a solution to sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere.
New research published in Nature Geoscience contradicts previous studies on tropical temperatures, suggesting they were warmer during the Pliocene epoch. This finding indicates that few places on Earth will be immune to global warming, with potential consequences for tropical storm intensity and climate impacts.
A team of French scientists has proposed a model explaining the sudden drop in atmospheric CO2 levels 300 million years ago, when a massive mountain range formed in Pangea. The formation of these mountains led to physical erosion and rock weathering, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and preventing severe greenhouse effects.
A study suggests that warming climates can indirectly increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere by reducing iron and silicon availability in ocean waters. This is particularly significant in the southern ocean and equatorial Pacific, which play a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2.
A new report ranks climate engineering approaches in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Researchers conclude that reducing greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon energy sources and behavioral changes is still the most effective way to confront climate change.
Researchers have developed a system to convert hydrogen gas into formic acid, a less flammable liquid fuel that can be safely stored and transported. The process uses two chemical reactions and atmospheric CO2, offering a sustainable solution for energy storage and synthesis of various products.
A new study suggests that local factors, such as fungal colonization and terrain, play a more significant role in wood decomposition rates than previously thought. This finding has implications for climate models, which may be weakened by aggregating data across large geographic areas.
A new UCLA-led report concludes that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the primary way to combat global warming. The study finds that technology already available can reduce carbon emissions by up to 7 gigatons per year, but political support for emission reduction is lacking.
Tropical forest carbon accumulation is reduced by nearly 20% due to invasive vines. Lianas block sunlight for tree growth and don't compensate for displaced carbon.
New research reveals dryland ecosystems have emerged as a significant driver of the global carbon cycle, contributing to a four-fold increase in net carbon uptake. The study highlights the impact of climate extremes and desert greening on ecosystem processes, with surprising interactions discovered between natural events and biomes.
Research found that elevated CO2 levels accelerate plant growth, leading to more CO2 absorption through photosynthesis. This new understanding suggests that natural processes may not slow global warming as previously thought.
A Stanford-led team has generated a genetic map of more than 10,000 species of fungi across North America, showcasing their vital role in ecological systems and carbon cycling. The research highlights the diversity and distribution of fungal species, with unique fingerprints in each bioregion.
A new study found that permafrost thawing leads to increased release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere via plants. The research suggests that this could accelerate global warming trends by up to five times more carbon in the atmosphere.
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 field study has demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide inhibits the conversion of nitrate into protein in a field-grown crop, compromising the nutritional quality of food crops. This finding indicates that the nutritional quality of food will suffer as climate change intensifies.
Researchers have discovered that many hot white dwarfs' atmospheres are contaminated by rocky material from planetary systems, suggesting a similar proportion of stars build terrestrial planets. This breakthrough has implications for the ultimate fate of the Earth billions of years in the future.
During the last ice age, wind-borne dust carried iron to the Southern Ocean, driving plankton growth and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process, known as iron fertilization, is believed to have played a key role in amplifying the ice ages.
Researchers discovered that geologic cycles, including mountain formation and chemical weathering, play a crucial role in balancing atmospheric CO2 levels. This balance helps prevent the planet from becoming too hot or too cold, allowing life to thrive.
A new NASA study suggests that Earth's climate will continue to warm during this century, with a possible 20% increase in warming compared to previous estimates. The research focuses on improving the understanding of how airborne particles drive climate change, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
Researchers have discovered a unique pattern of neurogenesis in the adult human brain, particularly in the striatum region. New neurons are generated here, which could potentially be useful for developing novel therapies for neurological diseases.
Researchers at MIT determine the end-Permian extinction occurred over 60,000 years, killing 96% of marine species and 70% of life on land. The new timescale suggests massive volcanic eruptions from the Siberian Traps triggered a rapid collapse of global ecosystems.
A new Yale study reveals that ancient forest emissions and wildfires had a significant impact on global warming, even before human-generated CO2 emissions. The research found that concentrations of tropospheric ozone, aerosol particles, and methane during the Pliocene epoch were twice those observed in the pre-industrial era.
Researchers found that low atmospheric CO2 concentrations acted as a 'carbon starvation' brake, slowing down weathering rates and reducing forests' ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This mechanism helped maintain stable CO2 levels and climate over millions of years.
Research suggests that older trees accelerate growth and take up more carbon, contrary to the assumption that they slow down with age. This finding has implications for forest conservation efforts like REDD+, which aim to reduce global warming by preserving forests.
A new study found that the public has a strong negative view of climate engineering, with approaches like carbon capture and cloud brightening being better received. The results suggest that even well-regarded techniques still have a net negative perception.
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.
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.
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 propose a method to convert CO2 into stable magnesite, which could help curb global warming by sequestering greenhouse gas emissions. The technique uses ultramafic rocks and temperatures between 53°F and 86°F to form the mineral.
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 have identified regions beneath the oceans where igneous rocks can safely store large volumes of carbon dioxide. The stored CO2 would be locked away for centuries, preventing its release into the atmosphere or oceans.
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.
Scientists analyzed 538 amber samples to reconstruct ancient atmospheric compositions, finding that oxygen levels were significantly lower than today. This suggests a link between low oxygen and high carbon dioxide concentrations, which may have influenced climate and life evolution.