The CO2 Sink is Full.
May 19, 2007 1:39 AM
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide is likely to rise much faster than anticipated because the major recipient of CO2, the polar seas in the Antarctic, seem to be full:
It was assumed that, as human activities released more CO2 into the atmosphere, ocean sinks would keep pace, absorbing a comparable percentage of this greenhouse gas. Of all the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, only half of it stays there; the rest goes into carbon sinks. There are two major natural carbon sinks: the oceans and the land "biosphere". They are equivalent in size, each absorbing a quarter of all CO2 emissions. The decline of Antarctica's Southern Ocean carbon "sink" - or reservoir - means that atmospheric CO2 levels may be higher in future than predicted.
But this is the kicker:
This effect had been predicted by climate scientists, and is taken into account - to some extent - by climate models. But it appears to be happening 40 years ahead of schedule.
Just remember that there are ranges for all the climate change predictions, and who's to say which part of the range will turn out correct? It could just as likely turn out to be a worst-case scenario situation as this century progresses.
Join the discussion: Comments (0)
| Email Link to a Friend
Permalink to post: http://www.cslproductions.org/earth/talk/archives/000442.shtml
Receive an email whenever this EARTH blog is updated: Subscribe Here!
Tags: antarctica, carbon dioxide, climate change, CO2, global warming
Permalink to post: http://www.cslproductions.org/earth/talk/archives/000442.shtml
Receive an email whenever this EARTH blog is updated: Subscribe Here!
Tags: antarctica, carbon dioxide, climate change, CO2, global warming
Add your comment
home | music | democracy | earth | money | projects | about | contact
Site design by
Matthew Fries | ©
2003-23 Consilience Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Consilience Productions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All contributions are fully tax deductible.