Articles tagged with Carbon Cycle
Researchers have discovered that Alpine glaciers contain diverse biogeochemical complexes of dissolved organic matter, which is surprisingly bioavailable. This finding highlights the importance of glaciers as 'freezers' that preserve organic matter for microbial heterotrophs.
A new study provides unprecedented detail on the history of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) in the Pacific Ocean over the past 55 million years. The CCD, which fluctuates with climate change, reveals five intervals of fluctuation during the 'greenhouse' world and at least four major excursions in the last 20 million years.
A study by Thorsten Dittmar and colleagues reveals that the Atlantic Ocean is receiving a significant amount of stable carbon compounds from the Brazilian rainforest, which was heavily deforested in the 1970s. The compounds, originating from charcoal left in the soil, are affecting biogeochemical cycles for centuries and millennia.
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.
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.
Researchers have found evidence that smaller hyperthermal events, which occurred more than 50 million years ago, had a similar origin to the larger Pelaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The study confirms that these events were atmospheric and global, rather than just oceanic processes.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to calculate the activity level of microorganisms in the deepest layers of the seabed. The study reveals that these slow-growing bacteria play a crucial role in the global storage of organic carbon, affecting the oxygen content of the atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered tranquillityite in Australia's Eel Creek Formation, a mineral previously believed to originate on the Moon. Meanwhile, researchers in Hong Kong present the first three-dimensional seismic velocity model of the region, providing insights into crustal structures and earthquake activity.
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.
Researchers discovered a novel microbe that produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in Arctic permafrost. The microbe's genome revealed genes for nitrogen fixation, making it a potentially key player in the Earth's carbon cycle.
Researchers found that the El Niño effect drives faster conversion of CO2 in the terrestrial biosphere, leading to a revised estimate of global primary productivity. The new value suggests that land plants are more productive than previously thought, with implications for climate models and future carbon cycle research.
Researchers found diamonds from the lower mantle contain compositions consistent with oceanic crust, suggesting slabs of oceanic crust sank into the lower mantle and cycled back up. The discovery provides direct evidence for the Earth's carbon cycle extending to great depths.
Researchers have found evidence of the carbon cycle extending to the lower mantle, where it is believed to originate from ocean crust. The discovery was made in 'superdeep' diamonds from Brazil that contain inclusions with chemical compositions indicative of deep-sea environments.
A new study finds that irrigation increases global agricultural productivity by an amount equivalent to the entire US agriculture sector, leading to significant carbon uptake. Adding even small amounts of water can have a bigger impact than larger amounts in wetter regions.
The study of brown rot fungus Serpula lacrymans' genome reveals new insights into cellulose breakdown and its role in the global carbon cycle. The findings have significant implications for biofuel production and could lead to more efficient processes.
Two studies highlight the relationship between neotectonic activity and rockslide failures, with a third investigation into salinity control on parasequence development in ancient carbonate platforms. Researchers found that rock fracturing due to neotectonic activity is a major conditioning factor for failures, while changes in coastal...
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found phytoplankton bloom timing has progressed up to 50 days earlier in the Arctic Ocean, with unknown impacts on the food chain. The shift may have consequences for the entire ecosystem and global carbon cycle.
A researcher has developed an eco-labeling system to provide environmental information on product carbon footprints, enabling consumers to make informed choices. The system, based on a method composed of financial accounts, estimates the ecological and carbon footprint of goods and services throughout their life cycle.
Most college students fail to grasp fundamental scientific principles like the carbon cycle and conservation of matter, leading to inaccurate explanations and environmental issue ignorance. The study calls for improved teaching methods to enhance students' understanding of essential biological concepts.
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.
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.
Scientists studied the impact of a prolonged Sun cycle on Earth's conveyor belt and found that it may have led to a longer cycle. Additionally, researchers examined how global water supply sharing affects drought vulnerability, finding that sharing water globally during times of drought can increase societal resilience.
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.
Unaccounted ecosystem feedbacks could significantly impact future climate change due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands, soils, and fires. These biogeochemical cycles may counteract the cooling effect of carbon uptake by plants, contributing to increased warming.
Researchers found a large shift in the carbon cycle during the Cryogenian period, which may have been triggered by the Sturtian glaciation. The disturbance could have led to the accumulation of organic carbon in the ocean and had far-reaching effects on Earth's climate.
Dr. Karen Kohfeld's research focuses on paleo-climate and the dust cycle, highlighting its importance in understanding land-atmosphere-climate connections. The symposium will explore how changes in the dust cycle affect the oceans, carbon cycle, and human health.
Researchers studied organic carbon-rich sediments from an ancient seabed to learn about a devastating event when oxygen levels in the oceans dropped so low that one-third of marine life died. The studies found that volcanic activity triggered a biogeochemical cascade, leading to a decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers studied tree stomatal density, guard cell length, and water use efficiency in 27 trees over a century. They found stomatal density declined while guard cell length increased, but intrinsic water use efficiency remained unchanged.
Current international strategies overlook the role of inland waters in carbon cycling, but a new study highlights their disproportionate impact. The study suggests that rivers and lakes can alter the fate of terrestrial carbon, leading to significant changes in global carbon budgets.
Scientists are presenting research on coupled biogeochemical cycles, which study the interactions between Earth's biology, chemistry, and geology. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnected processes in addressing human impacts such as global warming and acid rain.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that scientists' best predictions about global warming may be inaccurate. Researchers analyzed records from the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a 55-million-year-old period of rapid global warming, and found that climate models can only explain half of the observed heating. ...
A new review reveals that global monsoons have been driving the long-term cyclicity of oceanic carbon reservoirs for at least 600 million years. The study found a 400,000-year cycle related to the 'long eccentricity' of Earth's orbit, which is linked to changes in oceanic carbon reservoirs and has implications for climate prediction.
New research finds hemlock woolly adelgid is killing hemlock trees faster than expected, altering the carbon cycle of these forests. The study suggests that infrequent frigid winter temperatures may not be enough to suppress adelgid populations, leading to rapid decline and mortality.
A four-fold increase in global carbon dioxide emissions has been reported since 2000, with growth rates outpacing natural carbon sinks. Australian fossil-fuel emissions have grown by two per cent per year, making the country's reduction target increasingly challenging.
Researchers analyzed carbon dioxide levels and found a remarkable correlation with climate fluctuations over 70,000 years. The study confirms the validity of computer models projecting a warmer climate due to human activities.
A new study published in Carbon Balance and Management found that the link between carbon cycle and human-induced emissions may only be relevant for several centuries. The research suggests that even weak but continuing emissions can lead to eventual saturation of climate-carbon cycle feedback, regardless of when emissions peak.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed high-resolution CO2 maps that provide detailed and accurate information on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The Vulcan system reveals unexpected large sources of emissions in the southeastern US, which were previously underestimated.
Researchers are developing a new method for measuring forest carbon stores on a large scale using the ECHIDNA instrument. The technique combines ground-based LiDAR data with airborne and spaceborne sensors to provide accurate estimates of forest biomass.
A Northwestern University professor is studying rivers to understand how organic carbon is processed and consumed by microorganisms, revealing that it's a bigger component of global carbon cycling than thought. The study provides a framework for assessing these processes and sheds light on the internal cycling of carbon in rivers.
A new global overview by Duke University soil scientist Daniel Richter emphasizes the need to address soil health due to increased cultivation, grazing, and logging. The study highlights the importance of long-term observation and analysis to understand how to sustain soils and minimize adverse effects on the environment.
Researchers have identified 75 genes involved in silica bioprocessing in diatoms, which could lead to more efficient and smaller-scale nanofabrication for computer chips. The discovery could increase chip speed and address the current limitation of photolithographic techniques.
The first 'State of the Carbon Cycle Report' reveals a troubling imbalance in North America's carbon budget, largely driven by human-caused emissions. The continent's natural sinks, such as forests and soils, may be unable to compensate for increasing carbon dioxide emissions.
A study at the University of York found that microbes in plant roots rapidly consume sugars and convert them into carbon dioxide, creating a shortcut in the carbon cycle. This process was demonstrated using C-13-labeled carbon dioxide, allowing researchers to identify the active microbes.
Researchers found a massive, rapid release of carbon may have triggered the Permian-Triassic extinction. The Great Bank of Guizhou fossil beds in China provide valuable insights into this event.
A new study published in Science sheds light on the dim layer of the ocean known as the twilight zone, which affects the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide. The research found that only a small percentage of carbon transported to the depths is stored, with most being recycled in the twilight zone.
A recent analysis reveals that inland water bodies are significant areas of terrestrial carbon transformation, deserving inclusion in global carbon cycle assessments. The findings show that rivers transport complex transformations of carbon, with half entering the atmosphere and 12% stored in sediments.
The new CarbonTracker tool will distinguish between natural and human-produced carbon cycle changes, providing verification for climate models. It will also enable policymakers to compare emissions from urban centers and businesses.
A new scientific paper reviews 60 years of research on the impact of ocean carbon dioxide, warning of widespread species extinction, coral dissolution, and damage to natural food webs. The study suggests that doubling gas mileage in the US could help ameliorate existing damage.
A team of international researchers has uncovered secrets about the earth's climate history by analyzing marine microfossils found five kilometers below sea level. The study reveals that the earth's climate and glaciation events have corresponded with variations in the earth's natural orbital patterns and carbon cycles.
A type of carbon from plant waxy material has been accumulating in soils for 11,000 years, challenging current models of the Earth's carbon cycle. This resilient carbon pool is thought to be responsible for long-term carbon storage on land and may play a role in offsetting increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have uncovered the complete genome sequence of Ostreococcus tauri, a tiny eukaryote that plays a significant role in ocean climate dynamics. The study reveals the organism's complex genetic makeup and its ability to perform photosynthesis, which has major implications for carbon cycling.
A recent study using high-resolution stable-isotope analysis from 95-million-year-old fossilized wood found that the mid-Cretaceous period was not a super-greenhouse, but rather had a short-lived glaciation. This new information may help us understand how the biosphere will respond to human-generated alterations of CO2 concentration.
Researchers studied hurricane-force wind estimation using synthetic aperture radar and found a newly-developed model outperforms previous methods. Additionally, weakened thermohaline circulation led to increased snow cover over Europe due to reduced atmospheric circulation and changed climate influences. The Arctic Ocean's change also ...
The new ice core analysis provides insights into Antarctic climate and greenhouse gas concentrations during the most recent warm period, known as Marine Isotope Stage 11. This analog warm period occurred between 420,000 and 400,000 years ago and shares similarities with our current warm period due to similar Earth-Sun configurations.
A new study reveals that the SAR11 microbe's streamlined genome is key to its dominance in oceans, recycling organic carbon and supporting 50% of global photosynthesis. With a compact genetic makeup, SAR11 can survive in low-nutrient environments and efficiently reproduce by consuming dissolved organic matter.
Researchers found an enzyme in marine diatoms that uses cadmium, a scarce element in the ocean. This discovery has implications for understanding the global carbon cycle and climate change.
Shrubs in Arctic regions promote deeper snowdrifts, warming soil and boosting microbial activity. This leads to increased nutrient availability, promoting rapid shrub growth and expansion.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a correlation between Southern Ocean cooling and the expansion of Antarctic ice sheets around 14 million years ago. The study suggests that changes in global carbon cycling played a crucial role in this process, providing insight into the dynamics of Earth's climate system.
A team of U.S. and German scientists used carbon-14 dating techniques to determine that most Arctic carbon is young and unlikely to affect the global climate balance. However, they warn that an Arctic warming trend could lead to the release of ancient carbon, enhancing the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming.
Research suggests that gas hydrates, formed in deep-sea sediments, contain massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. These hydrates can charge and discharge variable amounts of methane constantly, responding to factors not yet understood. This finding necessitates a revised view of the carbon cycle.