Advanced integrated modeling and measurement: The global carbon cycle
Most of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activities comes from burning fossil fuels Only about half the CO2 we release into the atmosphere remains there, however, and the fate of the CO2 that does not remain in the atmosphere is uncertain As carbon dioxidecomes in contact with the sea surface it may be absorbed into the ocean, and as it comes in contact with the leaves of plants it may be absorbed and transformed into plant tissue, but the rates at which the sea or land plants can absorb CO2 are poorly characterized Hence, there is a great deal of uncertainty as to how much of the CO2 we release today will be found in the ocean, or in land plants, or in the atmosphere 10, 20 or 100 years from now The nanowing of these uncertainties is essential to making reliable predictions of the climate consequences of fossil fuel burning and deforestation
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 1702
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-ID-131176; YN0100000; 95-DI-005; ON: DE00001702
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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