Articles tagged with Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Researchers found a previously unknown transport route for carbon-rich particles from the Barents and Kara Seas to the deep sea, absorbing up to 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This mechanism is essential for creating global carbon dioxide budgets and understanding the ocean's role in the carbon cycle.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a 'stabilizing feedback' mechanism that regulates Earth's temperature over hundreds of thousands of years. Silicate weathering is believed to be the likely cause, drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and into ocean sediments.
A new project at Aarhus University aims to develop Denmark's first reactor for carbon-negative hydrogen production from biogas using catalytic pyrolysis. The technology converts captured CO2 into solid form while producing hydrogen, reducing energy consumption by one-fifth compared to green hydrogen production.
Research reveals that high CO2 levels can lead to mineral deficiencies in plants, resulting in less nutritious crops. This affects protein content, particularly in staple crops like rice and wheat, with potential implications for global food security.
A simple material called aluminum formate has been found to be effective in removing carbon dioxide from power plant smokestacks. The material, made from abundant and readily available chemicals, is up to 100 times less expensive than other materials with similar performance.
Researchers at KAUST developed an inverse mixture-design approach using machine learning to create high-performance transport fuels. The model accurately predicted fuel properties and identified suitable blends, offering a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Arctic Ocean's pH is decreasing at a rate 3–4 times faster than in other oceans, with acidification impacting marine life. Sea butterflies, a key food source for whales, may face reduced availability due to increased carbon dioxide uptake.
The study forecasts cumulative emissions from the 'country of permafrost' through 2100 under low, medium, and high warming scenarios. Under a low warming scenario, permafrost would release 55 petagrams of carbon by the end of the century, while potentially releasing 232 Pg if left unchecked.
Researchers have discovered that marine diazotrophic bacteria contribute directly to the biological carbon pump, exporting and sequestering carbon in the deep ocean. This process was previously attributed mainly to phytoplankton, but experts now understand that these microorganisms also store carbon on the seabed.
Researchers created global temperature maps of Earth during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a time period similar to our own future under climate change. The study found that the climate was more sensitive to carbon dioxide increases than previously thought, with sensitivity between 5.7 to 7.4 degrees Celsius per doubling.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
A Newcastle University study has developed a machine learning tool that can predict the performance properties of land plant Rubisco proteins with high accuracy. This prediction will enable researchers to identify and engineer 'supercharged' Rubisco proteins that can increase atmospheric CO2 uptake and store in crops such as wheat.
New research shows that elevated carbon dioxide levels in forests in the US have increased wood volume by up to 20%, making trees more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is called carbon fertilization and can help mitigate climate change, potentially reducing costs associated with mitigation efforts.
Researchers at Cornell University suggest that bright reflections on Mars' South Pole may be caused by layered composition rather than liquid water. The team's simulations showed that layer thickness and separations have a greater impact on reflection power than material composition.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels stimulate tree growth, resulting in longer and more extensive root systems. This adaptation helps trees absorb nutrients from the soil, providing limited protection against climate change. The study provides insights into how forests respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers have discovered that Mexican mangrove forests have been absorbing and storing carbon for an impressive 5,000 years. The study found that these unique ecosystems are capable of retaining large amounts of carbon due to the presence of certain microorganisms.
The University of Missouri has received a $25 million grant from the USDA to help farmers adapt to climate change through climate-smart practices. The five-year project aims to improve crop and livestock resilience on up to 500,000 acres of Missouri farmland.
Researchers aim to improve and expand Enzymatic Construction Material (ECM), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete that can repair cracks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will also support programs to inspire girls' interests in engineering and construction, addressing the industry's gender gap.
The study quantifies the impact of human activity on the Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity, highlighting that forest degradation leads to significant losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts are crucial to reverse these effects and protect the biome's carbon stocks.
A new study suggests that canopy leaves in forests cannot cool themselves below the surrounding air temperature, leading to reduced forest carbon cycling and increased mortality risk. The research challenges a prevailing theory on leaf thermoregulation, highlighting the impact of climate warming on forests.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that increased carbon dioxide levels decrease phosphorus levels in plants, making them less nutritious. The team found that plants avoid overloading their chloroplasts with phosphorus as an adaptive response to elevated CO2 levels.
A new study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found a strong temporal connection between flood basalt eruptions and significant climatic events.
A new study finds that the social cost of carbon is more than triple the current federal estimate, with each additional ton of carbon dioxide costing society $185. The study's updated methodology and key scientific advancements led to the higher estimate, which could inform stronger climate policies.
Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.
The MIT-led MOXIE experiment has successfully produced oxygen from Mars' thin atmosphere, producing six grams of oxygen per hour across various conditions. This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization, which could support human missions on Mars by generating breathable oxygen and fuel for rockets.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
A new study predicts that record-breaking heat waves will become more frequent in places like North America and Europe by 2100. The research suggests that even if countries meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 2°C, dangerous heat stress could double by 2100 in the tropics.
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured clear evidence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a gas giant planet outside the solar system. The detection, made using the telescope's Near-Infrared Spectrograph, provides insights into planetary composition and formation.
Kelp forests, which sequester large amounts of atmospheric carbon, may struggle to trap it due to accelerating decomposition rates in warmer waters. A study found that sea temperature has a strong influence on decomposition rates, with kelp fragments degrading more slowly in cooler waters.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel, inexpensive catalyst that efficiently reduces carbon dioxide to formate under visible light. The new photocatalyst, KGF-9, boasts high performance and simplicity, with potential applications in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A plasma-based approach may one day convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and produce fuels, fertilizers on the red planet. The system could play a critical role in life-support systems and future human settlement on Mars.
New research shows that the Amazon rainforest's growth rate is limited by a lack of phosphorus in the soil, which could reduce its ability to store carbon and increase vulnerability to climate change. Phosphorus availability played a critical role in increasing productivity in a recent experiment.
Research shows higher concentrations of pathogenic dust landing at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, carrying fungi and bacteria that can cause crop failures and human respiratory disease. The study highlights the increasing threat of microbe-laden dust as the Earth dries out.
Researchers have developed a method to convert methane into methanol under ambient conditions, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and paving the way for alternative fuels. The process uses photocatalysts and has potential to mitigate climate change by utilizing methane reserves.
A new study challenges the notion that restoring coastal vegetation like mangroves and seagrass can significantly remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The review highlights seven reasons why blue carbon accounting is uncertain, including high variability in carbon burial rates and vulnerability to climate change.
A team has developed a plan to retrofit train cars with direct air capture technology, which can remove up to 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The system uses energy generated from the train's braking system, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Researchers found that current reported rates of carbon capture are overestimated by 19-30%, with actual storage rates being significantly lower. This discrepancy affects the accuracy of climate change mitigation impact assessments and hinders efforts to tackle the crisis.
Researchers predict plankton will store more carbon in the coming century due to climate warming. However, uncertainty remains for storage beyond the end of the century, which could impact future climate change.
A new study reveals that Arctic temperatures have jumped by two steps in the last 50 years, with the second step occurring in 1999 and missed by most climate models. The findings are significant for projecting future climate change, as they highlight the need for more accurate short-term climate projections.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a thermochemical recycling method that produces gas containing carbon atoms from mixed waste, which can be used to create new plastic products. The process eliminates the need for fossil raw materials and achieves negative emissions.
A new modeling study predicts that coastal marsh migration will release more carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. As marshes move inland due to sea level rise, they convert land from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, releasing stored carbon into the air.
Researchers discovered over 1,200 RNA viruses linked to carbon absorption on the ocean floor. The study suggests engineered viruses could be used as 'knobs' to control carbon storage, potentially slowing climate change.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed an innovative carbon capture system that removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere with unprecedented performance. The isophorone diamine-based system achieves 99% efficiency and can process low concentrations of CO2 in air at a rate twice as fast as existing systems.
A recent study led by Nagoya University found that human-made iron in the Southern Ocean may be up to ten times higher than previously thought, with a 60% contribution from fossil fuel combustion. This could lead to decreased photosynthesis and increased CO2 levels, exacerbating global warming.
Researchers found rocket exhaust gases can remain high in altitude, producing thermal nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide that can affect the Earth's climate. The team modeled fluid dynamics of rocket exhaust gases to understand the impact on atmospheric pollution.
Researchers from Tokyo Tech developed an alumina-supported iron-based catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into formic acid with up to 90% selectivity. The new catalyst's excellent recyclability and low-cost nature make it a promising candidate for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and providing energy via combustion.
Researchers found tree growth not source-limited but rather by cell growth, suggesting forests may not absorb as much carbon as thought. The study's findings challenge current forest growth models and highlight the need for climate change mitigation strategies.
Research published in Science of the Total Environment found that adopting low-carbon fuels could reduce racial disparities in exposure to fine and ultrafine particle pollution by 20-40% in California by 2050. This would lead to improved air quality, reduced deaths, and estimated annual public health benefits of $20 billion.
Researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that converts CO2 into carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes during photosynthesis. The enzyme uses pairs of molecules working in sync like jugglers, with a spot of molecular glue and twisting motion facilitating the reaction.
A new study describes a period of rapid global warming in an ice-capped world 304 million years ago, resulting in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels doubling and oceans becoming anoxic. Biodiversity dropped on land and at sea, with about 23% of the seafloor worldwide becoming anoxic dead zones.
A team of Texas A&M University researchers has created a monitoring system that can rapidly detect and track the movement of carbon dioxide stored underground. Using unsupervised machine learning, their system can identify CO2 plumes and locations with high accuracy, reducing the risk of unregistered escapes.
The MechanicalTree is a scalable solution for reducing carbon emissions by collecting CO2 from the atmosphere without the need for blowers or fans. It has the potential to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming by capturing approximately 1,000 tons of CO2 per day.
Research reveals that tropospheric ozone contributes more to the Southern Ocean's warming than previously thought. This finding highlights the importance of reducing air pollution to mitigate ocean heat uptake and climate change.
A team of scientists from the University of East Anglia has developed a new method to estimate regional fossil fuel CO2 emissions more accurately and in near real-time. Using atmospheric measurements of O2 and CO2, they can detect changes in emissions with higher frequency and provide valuable insights for climate change policies.
A new technique uses air lasing and coherent Raman spectroscopy to detect greenhouse gases with high sensitivity and multi-component measurement capabilities. The detection reaches a level of 0.03% and can distinguish between CO2 isotopes.
A recent study led by the University of Bonn found no evidence of iron fertilization stimulating algae growth and sequestering CO2 in the Antarctic Ocean during ice ages. Instead, other processes such as sea ice cover and ocean stratification prevented CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
Researchers found evidence of declining nitrogen availability in various ecosystems, including grasslands and forests, due to multiple environmental changes. The decline is linked to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and reduced plant growth, with implications for the global carbon cycle.
Researchers found that Dansgaard-Oeschger events, which occurred throughout the last ice age, were likely caused by atmospheric CO2 levels between 190-225 ppm. The study combines ice-core data with climate models to propose a new theory for these abrupt climate changes.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to turn treated plastic waste into an effective carbon dioxide sorbent, capable of removing CO2 from flue gas streams. The process involves heating plastic waste in the presence of potassium acetate, producing particles with nanometer-scale pores that trap CO2 molecules.