Thermohaline circulation, the achilles heel of our climate system: Will man-made CO{sub 2} upset the current balance?

Journal Article · Fri Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 1997 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5343.1582· OSTI ID:569488

Broecker, W S ^[1]

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1. Columbia Univ., Pallisades, NY (United States)

During the last glacial period, Earth`s climate underwent frequent large and abrupt global changes. This behavior appears to reflect the ability of the ocean`s thermohaline circulation to assume more than one mode of operation. The record in ancient sedimentary rocks suggests that similar abrupt changes plagued the Earth at other times. The trigger mechanism for these reorganizations may have been the antiphasing of polar insolation associated with orbital cycles. Were the ongoing increase in atmospheric CO{sub 2} levels to trigger another such reorganization, it would be bad news for a world striving to feed 11 to 16 billion people. 55 refs., 6 figs.

• OSTI ID: 569488
• Journal Information: Science, Vol. 278, Issue 5343; Other Information: PBD: 28 Nov 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
OCEANIC CIRCULATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION